Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France

What You'll Do

Taste local wines at the source and use the vineyards to inspire your artwork on this 3-night art & wine holiday in France; develop your skills in your chosen media with a fantastic hands-on teacher who knows how to bring out the best in your work while you stay in a lovely French farmhouse!

Created especially for those who have a passion for both art and wine, we are delighted to bring you this 3 night art, painting and wine holiday in France.

Art teacher Jo has combined forces with her neighbours just across the vines in the family run organic vineyards of Chateau La Tour de Chollet to create this fully inclusive holiday. It is a unique opportunity for you to paint the beauty of the vines in this stunning region as you sip a glass of the locally produced wine to really get your creative juices flowing.

You will also get to meet Paul and Kirstie who run Chateau La Tour de Chollet. They will give you an insight into the life of the grape from ‘bud to bottle’, giving your a tour of the vineyards followed by an exclusive wine tasting and the chance to buy organic wines at great prices.

In your free time, relax in the den, curl up with a book and wine, or lounge by the pool. Whatever you do, be sure to make yourself at home, and be prepared to tuck into some delicious home-cooked food.

Jo has flexible running dates so please enquire for the dates that suit you. The group size will be no larger than 6.

Experience
Highlights

Visit a local vineyard for painting, vineyard tour and wine tasting.

French farmhouse accommodation with swimming pool, gardens & terraces.

Home-cooked meals served daily and art supplies included.

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

– Arrive at the accommodation and settle into your room and surroundings
– Welcome with refreshments and a tour of Le Peyrail with an introduction to the area and the types of wines produced
– For those arriving in the morning, a buffet lunch is offered with wine and soft drinks followed by studio work in the afternoon
– You are free to choose your medium and will talk about subject matter and cover some basic styles and techniques
– In the evening, apéritifs will be served on the terraces before the evening meal
– After dinner, you are free to spend it as you wish but it is a great opportunity for the group to socialise and get to know each other

Painting with wine

– Start the day with breakfast from 9 to 10am
– There is then a scenic stroll through the vines to Chateau Le Chollet where you will be met by Paul who will give you a tour of his vineyard followed by a wine tasting
– Before lunch, you will select your subject for your art session and Jo will set you up with a sketching stool, table, easel, parasol and of course a glass of Tour de Chollet wine
– Lunch at Le Chollet offers you freshly baked baguettes, locally produced cheeses, pâte and charcuterie accompanied by salads and, naturally, a glass of wine
– From 2-5pm, you can start creating your masterpiece and Jo will be on hand to offer artistic guidance
– At the end of the day, you can choose to return on foot or by car to the accommodation
– At 6:30pm, apéritif will be served on the terrace followed by the evening’s three course meal with wine
– The rest of the evening is free for you to relax

Painting lessons

– Breakfast is at 9am
– From 10:30-12:30, you will head back to Le Chollet for a second session of al fresco sketching
– Lunch is at 1-2:30 back at the accommodation
– The afternoon can be spent where you please, either on site back at Le Chollet or at the studio where Jo will be based
– At 6:30pm, apéritif will be served on the terrace followed by the evening’s three course meal with wine
– The rest of the evening is free for you to relax

Departure

– Breakfast is at 9am
– From 10:30-12:30, there is a studio session and a chance to put the finishing touches to your masterpiece
– At 12:30, enjoy a farewell barbecue lunch on the lower terrace
– As this is your last day, you can take it easy in the afternoon and use the pool or enjoy the garden and terraces
– If you art is on paper Jo can help you mount and frame it or, if on canvas, seal and varnish it
– Check out is at 4pm but if you wish to stay after 4.pm, an evening meal and an extra nights accommodation can be provided if you wish

Location Information

Just 30 minutes from Bergerac airport, your cosy home away from home was originally owned by 18th century vine workers who resided in 3 stone cottages, and has now been beautifully converted.

Jo instructs in Watercolour and Acrylic techniques, also charcoal and graphite( pencil) for portraits and architecture. She’s always open to experimenting with all types of medium and that includes the substrate, Paper, Canvass, board or wood.

Nearest airport: Bergerac (30 minutes by car)

FAQs

- Suitable for all painting levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18
- During this holiday, you are free to work with whatever medium you like, however, the holiday mainly focuses on watercolour and pastel and the various qualities of acrylic and gouache

- Courses have a maximum of 6 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for art and wine and there are NO single supplements for those travelling solo

- Art and wine holidays are for 3 nights / 4 days with a flexible arrival time on the first day and finishing around 4pm on day 4
- If you wish to stay for extra nights, please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- All holidays are on request so please email us at hello@nitgb.com and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible

- Although supplies are provided, feel free to bring your favourite brushes, paints, or paper
- Please bring suitable footwear for walking
- Swimming costume if you are visiting during pool season

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- Although this location does not have official disabled access, the front door is wide enough for a wheelchair
- The main bedroom and ensuite are all on one level and on the ground floor
- There are no cobblestones, however there are slopes. Although not the easiest venue for wheelchairs, your host would be happy to help any way she can
- The shower in the ensuite has one step up into it
- If a person is able to walk but has 'some' restrictions then we would need further information concerning their needs and would be very honest if we felt the person could not participate in the activity holidays

- A beautiful rural location surrounded by vineyards, trails, a bamboo forest, pond and terraces
- In-ground pool available from May-September
- Wood burning stove in the cooler months and electric fans available in the summer
- Large comfortable double rooms, decorated with comfort and style whilst maintaining many traditional features
- 1 room has a waterbed and ensuite bathroom, whilst the other 2 double rooms share a Jacuzzi bathroom
- Onsite studio on a covered terrace for outdoor inspiration
- 10 minutes from Sainte-Foy-La-Grande, if you feel the need to get out

Nearest airports:
Bergerac (34 minutes to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)
Bordeaux (1 hour to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)

Nearest train station:
Sainte Foy La Grande (10 minutes by car) - Free transfers from the train station is provided.