French Wine Courses & International WSET Wine Education in France
French Wine Adventures wine courses are crafted to offer you the perfect mix of fun, wine appreciation education, practical wine-tasting and how wines are really made at a working vineyard and winery.
French Wine Adventures is an agreed programme provider for Wine Spirit Education Trust since 2010. We have a 100% pass rate for our WSET courses. WSET is the world’s leading wine education organisation. All our classes except the WSET qualifications can be taken any day (except Sunday) and all year round.
Minimum 2 people (solo possible if others already booked on your requested course / date or ask us for a quote for a private class). Reservation is required – email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your class or scroll down for options.
The wine school is handicap accessible. French Wine Adventures offer pairings for vegans and vegetarians as part of wine and food pairing lunches and cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free on request on all activities (requires notice in advance).
All our wine classes are held at Chateau Feely in South West France, 1 hour from Bordeaux, 15 minutes from Bergerac airport, 50 minutes from Libourne TGV station. To download the pdf of how to get to us without a car click the bolded text FrenchWineAdventuresTravel.pdf (54kb). To download the pdf map for getting here by car click Directions Garrigue (176kb). It is very easy to reach Chateau Feely (Gardonne Station) by train from Bordeaux city. We will meet you at the station.
For day classes we offer collection at 10h30 at Gardonne station an easy direct train ride from Bordeaux St Jean, St Emilion, Bergerac or Sarlat and drop off by 16h30 at Gardonne Station.
For large groups eg wedding groups Chateau Feely can seat upto 20 people. Caro Feely also offers off-site wine tastings and wine classes and will travel to you if you are based within 2 hours drive of Saussignac. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to let us know what you are looking for.
Click the text to jump to the wine course:
- Introduction to French Wine and Terroir 2 hours – €30pp
- Half day class with lunch 10h-13h30 – €65pp
- Winemaking 2 hours- €60pp
- Grand cru classes of France focus on Bordeaux – €100pp (min 6 people)
- The Wine Adventure: a full day of wine discovery – €125pp
- Play Winemaker for a Day – €180pps
- Day Course on French Wine Regions – €250pps
- Organic and biodynamic wine for wine professionals – €295pps
- Three Day Course on French Wine – €699pps
- Two day Private Wine Class – €999pps or €1600 solo
Introduction to French wine and organic viticulture: two hour discovery and wine tasting at a working wine estate - €30.00 per person
When: every day except Sunday 10h30 to 12h30
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car – see above for details).
This class includes a copy of our guide to wine appreciation with ready reckoners to help you recognise varietals, age of wine and well-known appellations.
Introduction to French Wine on a working organic wine estate:
- History of Wine,
- Winegrowing methods,
- French Wines and Appellations,
- the theory of wine-tasting
- practical wine-tasting with 2 white wines, 2 red wines and a dessert wine that give a flavour of the region and its varietals
The minimum reservation is 2 people. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to
book or scroll down for more options.
‘We loved the appellations/ geographical approach – great!’ Sarah Corcoran, Ireland ‘A fine class, very informative! Should be part of every holiday to the Dordogne,’ Susie, Chateau de Fayolle, France
The half day class with lunch- €65.00 per person
When: every day except Sunday 10h30 to 13h30
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car or train – see above for details).
This 2 hour tour of the vineyard is followed by lunch and includes a copy of our guide to wine & food pairing and is designed to enhance your ability to match wine and food. You will learn the key principles of wine and food pairing by experiencing them. New knowledge guaranteed.
- 10h30 – 12h00 Wine tour with explanation of terroir and of the history of the region
- 12h – 12.30 Wine tasting and theory of Wine and Food Pairing
- 12.30 – 13.30 Practical wine and Food Pairing – we taste 2 white wines, 2 red wines and one dessert wine with a cheese platter to experience the principles of wine and food pairing.
Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book or scroll down for more options.
Winemaking 101 - €60 per person
When: every day except Sunday 13h30 to 15h30
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car – see above for details).
A two hour introduction to wine-making and its effects on wine including tasting of five wines that offer the opportunity to understand wine-making’s effect on the wine. Includes a tour of the winery and a step by step walk through the winemaking process. Minimum booking 2.
‘Excellent class. What clarity,’ Jim Grimes, Irelan
The Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé wine-tasting and class
Come and taste your vinous dreams! Caro will demystify the grand cru systems of France, offer tips on where to find good value and you will taste five Grand Crus.
Price includes our pocket guide to French Grand Crus, tasting these exclusive wines and light snacks. This class is only available to groups of six or more.
For pricing for a smaller group & to book email caro@frenchwineadventures.com.
‘A great history of the grand cru classification and great tasting’ Mel Cooper, UK
‘I last did a wine course more than 20 years ago. I had forgotten how much fun it was!’
Wendy from the UK
The Wine Adventure: a full day of wine discovery: €125.00 per person including lunch and two pocket guides
When: every day except Sunday 10h30 to 15h30
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car or train – see above for details).
A wine-tasting discovery day that takes place on a working organic vineyard and winery in a state of the art ecological tasting room and wine school easily accessible by train from Bordeaux. During this day class/ tour you will discover the history of wine of the Bordeaux region, winegrowing, wine types, varietals, geography and how the Aquitaine region compares to other french regions, terroir and the art of winetasting.
Then we explore the principles of wine and food pairing followed by a cheese pairing platter matched with five wines that illustrates the principles of wine and food matching looking over the Chateau Feely organic vineyards. In the afternoon we explore wine making with a visit to the winery. You depart with a copy of a wine appreciation pocket guide and a wine and food pairing pocket guide. This course is organised for two people or more and can be taken at any time.
‘What a stunning day. Wonderful wine, food and company.’
‘So interactive and friendly: a must do!’
To create a very special day you can upgrade your tour to Play Winemaker for a Day (180 euro per person) and blend your own special bottle of wine to take home. On this special day tour we explore the fine art of blending and you create your own unique
blend from a selection of barrel samples. You then bottle, label and cork it to take your own special cuvee home.
Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your wine tour!
Play Winemaker for a Day - €180 per person including lunch and your unique bottle of wine to take home
When: every day except Sunday 10h30 to 16h
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (If you are driving you can download the pdf map for getting here by car click Directions to Chateau Feely (about 150kb).We offer collection at 10h30 at Gardonne station a direct train ride from Bordeaux St Jean, St
Emilion, Bergerac or Sarlat and drop off by 16h30 at Gardonne.
Minimum 2 people. Price includes a wine and food pairing cheese platter and your own bottle of your unique wine to take home. Reservation required.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a winemaker? What decisions go into creating a unique wine? Come to Château Feely for an exclusive experience – a day of exploration which includes blending your own unique wine to take home.
Or email caro@frenchwineadventures.com for more info.
Some of the topics and activities you will enjoy on this wine adventure:
- How the grapes were transformed after the harvest
- What is happening in the vineyard in preparation for our next vintage and how this work in the vineyard affects the wine
- Wine blending: Wine tasting of each of the individual wines that can be used for your blend
- General rules of blending
- Choices made at Chateau Feely
- Blend your own bottle of wine then bottle and cork your unique blend
You depart with your wine and two pdf pocket guides to Wine tasting and to wine and food pairing.
If you dream of owning your own vineyard Chateau Feely’s ‘Vine Share’ is the ideal compliment to the Play Winemaker for a day.
The ‘Vineyard Share’ includes the rent of a row of vines in Chateau Feely’s vineyards in South West France for a year or more. It is the perfect gift for someone who is interested in wine – they can participate in grape picking and harvest celebrations, learn more about wine or simply enjoy the fine wine delivered by their vines.
‘‘My sister was tickled pink and has told the whole world that she ‘owns’ a piece of a vineyard! I was delighted to come up with such an original gift’ Bríd, Ireland Visit Chateau Feely to find out more about options and to order your vineyard share online.
If you are not ready to purchase but want to know more about it email me caro@frenchwineadventures.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Visit the website of Chateau Feely where most of French Wine Adventures exclusive experiences take place and where the vineyard share rows are located.
A Day Course on French Wine Regions - €250 per person including lunch
When: every day except Sunday 10h30 to 16h
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (If you are driving you can download the pdf map for getting here by car click Directions to Chateau Feely (about 150kb).We offer collection at 10h30 at Gardonne station a direct train ride from Bordeaux St Jean, St
Emilion, Bergerac or Sarlat and drop off by 16h30 at Gardonne.
Minimum 2 people. Price includes wines and lunch. Reservation required.
French wine can be confusing. Part of the secret to understanding wine is understanding geography and grape varietals. In this course we discover the major wine regions of France and wine tasting. You will taste 10 different wines from across France.
Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your wine course today!
The topics and activities you will enjoy on this wine adventure:
- A visit to an organic vineyard and winery
- An exploration of French Wine Regions – the geography and the grape types – white wines in the morning
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- An exploration of French Wine Regions – – the geography and the grape types – red wines in the afternoon
You depart with your wine and two pdf pocket guides to Wine tasting and to wine and food pairing.
Email me caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book or find out more. I look forward to hearing from you!
Visit the website of Chateau Feely where most of French Wine Adventures exclusive experiences take place.
Organic and biodynamic wine for wine professionals: €295 per person sharing
When: possible any day except Sunday 10h30 to 16h
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car or train – see above for details).
Are you a wine buyer, importer, consultant, teacher or specialist eager to know about organic and biodynamic wine? What are the rules for it in Europe and elsewhere? Can you trust the certification? What does it mean for your wine lover clients? What are
the benefits? Come to Chateau Feely a working organic and biodynamic farm to learn the ins and outs of biodynamic and organic winegrowing and winemaking. For groups of more than 2 please contact us for pricing.
10h30-12h30: Vineyard. Walk in the vineyard and explanation of organic viticulture and what it means technically. Looking at soil; machinery, vines. The soil science behind why organic works. The biodynamic approach in the vineyard and how this
helps the vines.
12h30-14h: tasting of six organic and biodynamic wines followed by wine and food pairing lunch
14h-16h: Winery. Visit to winery and explanation of organic vinification and what it means technically. Levels legislated in EU regulations (and beyond): SO2, adding yeasts and other products for organic and biodynamic. What it means for the
taste. What it means for the consumer.
Minimum 2 people. For one person or for groups of 4 or more please contact us for pricing. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your wine class.
Three Day Course on winegrowing, winemaking and French Wine including lunches (excluding accommodation): €699pps
When: possible any days except Sundays
Where: Chateau Feely, Saussignac (reach us by car or train – see above for details).
Lunch is included on all three days.
Day One Topics:
- History of wine, winegrowing including a visit to the vineyard, terroir,
- key varietals and geography, understanding wine labels and wine storage,
- theory of wine tasting
- Principles of wine and food pairing with a lunch that illustrates the principles of wine and food matching matched with 5 wines
- Wine making including a visit into the winery, wine types
Day Two Topics:
- French Appellations, how they work, the styles to expect
- Explanation of the key French Wine Regions and what they are famous for
- Tasting of sample white wines from key wine regions of France
- Tasting of sample red wines from key wine regions of France
Day Three Topics:
- Explanation of Grand crus and Grand cru classé systems in France
- Visit St Emilion to explore and taste Grand Crus and Grand Cru Classés
- Wrap up of all the topics covered. Quizz available for those who wish to text their knowledge.
With this course you receive 3 pocket guides: the Pocket Guide to French Wine, the Pocket Guide to wine and food pairing and the pocket guide to French Grand Cru Classés. Minimum 2 people. Price includes lunches. Reservation required. Available all year round. email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book.
Two day Private Wine Class (excluding accommodation):- €999pps or €1600 solo
If you want to feel confident about choosing wine, commenting on wine and tasting wine for your business engagements or for those all important dates with your lover this course is for you. This two day private course with wine expert Caro Feely will give you the tools and experience you need to feel confident about wine selection and about chatting with sommelliers at top restaurants. Building your wine and wine tasting knowledge and skill in a private setting at a beautiful organic and biodynamic estate with a certified wine school. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your private wine class today.
WSET level 1 Certificate: 1 day course discontinued - please consider our custom courses above
French Wine Adventures was a WSET approved programme provider 2010-2022 and had a 100% pass rate.
WSET Level 2 Wine Course discontinued - please consider our custom courses above.
WSET level 2 – discontinued
French Wine Adventures was a WSET approved programme provider 2010-2022 and had a 100% pass rate.