Southwest Grape Escape
Duration
3 nights
Activities
Tourism, culture, wine
Level
All levels
Group
5 people
About the getaway
Grab your friends (or come solo!) and join us for a fun 4-day wine weekend in southwest France, in collaboration with Elisa of Uncorked France and France Bucket List.
Stay at our charming 14th century château at the foot of the French Pyrénées, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery - the setting alone is worth the journey. This will be your home base as you spend the weekend discovering the wines of Béarn (rustic, character-driven reds), Jurançon (excellent sweet and dry whites), and Madiran (bold, age-worthy reds) through a series of vineyard tours, wine tastings, and behind-the-scenes looks at how these regional favorites are made. Along the way, you’ll learn about the local culture, history, and what makes these wines so special.
Elisa will be on hand throughout the getaway, sharing her passion for French wine and travel along with plenty of insider tips.
This wine escape is perfect for a girls’ weekend, couples, or solo travelers looking to slow down, sip great wine, and soak up the magic of the French countryside.
Check out the details below and contact us with any questions.
Highlights
- Stay in a 14th century château
- Discover the Jurançon and Madiran regions
- Spend the weekend with a French wine and travel specialist
- Enjoy home-cooked meals including regional specialties with local ingredients
Dates
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4 - 7 June 2026
Prices
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Private room : €595 (1 person)
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Double room: €1070 (2 people)
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Master suite: €1130 (2 people)
Should you wish to stay longer to explore more of the valley on your own, there is an option to book additional nights.
What's included
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3 nights accommodation
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All meals
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Wine & cheese tasting at the château
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Vineyard tours and tasting
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Group transfers
What's not included
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Travel (flights, trains, car)
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Transportation outside of group transfers
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Activities outside of what is planned
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Alcohol, lunch, food outside of planned meals
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Miscellaneous expenses
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Travel insurance
Itinerary
Thursday
Afternoon
We’ll arrange a single group pickup in Pau, with stops at the airport at 2:00 pm followed by the train station at 3:00 pm. Guests arriving by car are welcome to check in at the château from 4:00 pm onward.
Evening
An introduction to wine tasting and the wines of the Piémont Pyrénéen region sets the tone for the weekend. Led by a local wine expert, he will guide us through a selection of his favorite wines from southwest France. To accompany this wonderful selection of wines will be a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie.
Friday
Morning
After breakfast, we’ll head to the Jurançon wine region to visit two very different vineyards. Our first stop is a small estate producing both dry and sweet white wines using an organic and biodynamic approach.
You’ll be charmed by the location itself —a traditional Béarn farmhouse set among vineyards first planted in the 17th century—and by the stunning setting of the winery in the heart of the Jurançon hillsides. We’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the vineyard, followed by a relaxed wine tasting accompanied by local cheeses and charcuterie.
Afternoon
We’ll then visit a larger domaine where the first vines were planted in the 16th century! We’ll tour the production facilities and atmospheric wine cellar, gaining insight into how winemaking evolves at a larger scale. The visit concludes with tastings of several styles, including a sparkling wine, a rosé, and a range of dry and sweet whites.
Saturday
Morning
We’ll begin the day wandering through the weekly outdoor market, a true glimpse into life in the French Pyrénées. Among the stalls, a local vendor will introduce us to a different type of wine.
Afternoon
We’ll return to the Jurançon region for two more vineyard visits. Our first stop is another independent organic estate, producing Jurançon wines—both dry and sweet—from Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, and some lesser-known local varieties. For the more curious, the domaine also crafts natural and orange wines, offering an opportunity to learn how these trendy styles are made. The visit will conclude with a tasting of the estate’s wines.
Our final stop of the day is a five-generation, family-run vineyard producing Jurançon wines, along with rosés and reds from Tannat and Cabernets. Beyond the wines, the hilltop location offers breathtaking views that make this visit especially memorable.
Sunday
Our final day takes us to the Madiran region (bold reds made of Tannat), which also includes the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation (sweet and dry white wines). We’ll visit two different vineyards and taste a range of wines, the perfect opportunity to understand how our Madiran and Pacherenc wines are made.
We expect to return to Pau around 4:00 PM for those needing to catch trains or flights after the Grape Escape.
*If you wish to join us but your travel plans don't permit you to arrive/depart Pau at the suggested times, please get in touch.
Reserve my place!
If you're interested in this getaway, please complete the form below and we'll notify you when we open registration.