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.

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International Wine Education with Wine Spirit Education Trust WSET
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TVA (VAT) is 20% and can be recovered by businesses.
‘Loved the experience!’ Bruce, Canada

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 14h30 to 16h30
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 16h
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.

Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your wine day!

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).
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, tasting of sample white wines

Day Two Topics:

  • Wine making including a visit into the winery, wine types, tasting of sample red wines
  • Principles of wine and food pairing with a lunch that illustrates the principles of wine and food matching matched with 5 wines
  • French Appellations, how they work, the styles to expect

Day Three Topics:

  • Grand cru classé systems in France, tasting of samples including a grand cru classé
  • Afternoon: blend your own unique bottle of wine and then bottle it to take home

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 and your own bottle of your unique wine to take home. 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 including exam, lunch & wines: €295 TTC pp

WSET provides training in wine for professionals and consumers who wish to enhance their wine knowledge and gain a formal qualification. WSET courses and exams are recognised as the benchmark for wine education throughout the world and are offered in 41 different countries. Two levels of course are available from French Wine Adventures, level 1 and level 2. While the course and exam are in France these classes are adjudicated by WSET in London and part of their internationally recognised programme agreed by OFQUAL.

Level 1 is an introductory course suitable for anyone wishing to start their wine education in a structured and concise way. You will acquire a basic understanding of grape varieties, what makes wine different, service of wine and food and wine matching. If you already have a strong understanding of wine, a good wine tasting palate and significant experience you may be in a position to go directly to the Level 2.

The next WSET level 1 course dates are:

  • Friday 20th October 2023
  • Friday 10 November 2023
  • Friday 22nd March 2024

French Wine Adventures has a 100% pass rate and has been a WSET wine school since 2010.

You can find the detailed specification of the WSET Level 1 course at WSET Global .

If you wish to do Level 1 and Level 2 back to back, this is possible for the March 2024 dates. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book.

WSET Level 2 Wine Course with Certificate: 3 day course including exam, study pack, lunches & wines: €895 per person

WSET level 2

The next WSET level 2 are set for :

  • 11-13 November 2023
  • 23-25 March 2024

French Wine Adventures has a 100% pass rate and has been a WSET wine school since 2010.

Early bird Special – 10% off bookings made 3 months before the start of the course.

Classes take place in the stunning ecological wine school overlooking the organic biodynamic vineyards at Chateau Feely.

The Level 2 WSET is a course suitable for anyone wishing to broaden their knowledge of wines. You will learn about the major grape varieties, wine styles from the key wine producing countries of the world, the main spirits categories and understand the factors that influence the style, quality and price. Outside of the dates offered above for individuals we offer these courses for groups of 4 or more at any time (must be booked at least 1 month in advance for prep).

French Wine Adventures is based on an organic and biodynamic vineyard so we offer an optional extra module on organic and biodynamic farming on the second day plus we do at least 20% and often more, of the sample wines as organic or biodynamic wines.

You can find the detailed specification of the WSET Level 2 course at WSET Global .

‘Excellent. I learned a lot. Caro is an experienced and interesting tutor. Doing this course at a vineyard is a definite plus.’ Ailsa Cullen, France

We cover significant ground in these classes and booking at least 4 weeks in advance is required so you receive the study guide and text book in time to prepare. Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book or consider a 2 to 5 day tour.

Price: 895 euro TTC per person (including taxes) excluding accommodation 

Early bird special – 10% off bookings made 3 months before the start date.

This price includes the study pack (text book and study guide), 3 days of wine education in a small group, exam and lunches.

Luxury accommodation in the vineyards at Chateau Feely or with partners nearby is possible if required.

Email caro@frenchwineadventures.com to book your place now.

Optional St Emilion grand cru and grand cru classé tour on Sunday after the  course (280 euro per person)

All Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) wine classes are held at Chateau Feely in South West France, 1 hour 10 min from Bordeaux (airport and TGV station), 15 minutes from Bergerac airport, 10 minutes from St Foy la Grande, 50 minutes from Libourne TGV station. To download the pdf map for getting here by car click Directions Garrigue (176kb). To download the pdf of how to get to us without a car click the bolded text FrenchWineAdventuresTravel.pdf (54kb). It is easy to reach Chateau Feely (Gardonne Station) by train from Bordeaux city and Caro will meet you at the station.

Visit the website of Chateau Feely, the organic vineyard where our wine experiences, wine courses and half day tours take place.