Travel: French wine harvest holiday ideas

Always wondered what it’s like to take part in a harvest and getting one step closer to being a winemaker? Well, here's three wineries offering varying levels of 'work' as part of a holiday break…

Taking part in the wine harvest in Europe as a tourist can be tricky due to employment and insurance laws and also because many wineries simply prefer to use trained pickers rather than letting unknown visitors loose on their grapes.

One of the best ways of getting involved more seriously is still to try to utilise any possible direct contacts, or to apply formally via employment offices.

That said, agri-tourism is a growing area and some wine estates have started offering harvest packages. Here are some examples…

Last-minute French wine harvest holiday ideas

Le Saint-James, Bordeaux

Treat yourself to a luxury trip to the vineyards of Bordeaux, and try your hand at grape picking at Le Saint-James, a château hotel in Bouliac, with both a bistro and Michelin-starred restaurant on site.

Dine overlooking the vineyards at Le Saint-James.

When: 23rd to the 25th September

Price: €900

What’s included: Two nights at Le Saint-James, Friday dinner at Bistro Le Café de L’Espérance, grape picking on Saturday, with lunch, and dinner Saturday night at Michelin starred restaurant, Le Saint-James.

Best for: Those who want their hard work rewarded with fine dining.

Getting there: Fly to Bordeaux from London Gatwick with British Airways or Easyjet.

Book here

Châteaux accomodation in Bordeaux

La Bastide de Marie, Provence

Visit Provence this September at La Bastide de Marie, an 18th century farmhouse estate, also home to the Domaine du Marie vineyard and winery. A more leisurely approach to the harvest, take the opportunity to have tour with head winemaker Arnaud Bressi, and then relax in the spa or one of two swimming pools back at the hotel.

La Bastide de Marie also offers the chance to unwind. Credit: en.labastidedemarie.com/

When: Throughout September

Price: Rooms start from €490.

Tour includes: Introducing guests to the harvest, enjoy a lunch with the grape pickers and participate in a wine tasting in the cellar that afternoon.

Best for: Those who prefer a more ‘observational’ approach to the harvest.

Getting there: Fly to Marseille Provence from London Gatwick with Easyjet or London Heathrow with British Airways.

Book here.

Top Provence restaurants, chosen by the winemakers

Château de Pommard, Burgundy

This September Château de Pommard offers the chance to learn all about the harvest process; hand pick the grapes, help at the sorting table and play a part in the start of the vinification process, alongside their vineyard team.

Learn the whole process at Chateau de Pommard. Credit: chateaudepommard.com/

When: From 7 – 17 September

Price: €100 (accommodation not included)

What’s included: As well as a full learning programme – from the terroir to handpicking to sorting and vinification – a tasting of Chardonnay with canapes to start the day and finishing of a tasting of eight wines in the cellar.

Best for: Those who want to learn everything from grape to glass.

Getting there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then change for a train to Gare du Beaune.

Book here

Please note: Decanter has not taken part in any of the packages listed above.

More wine travel guides:

The wine cellar and tasting room at Château Castigno was designed by Belgian architect Lionel Jadot and takes the form of a giant wine bottle lying on its side in front of old Grenache vines. Credit: Château Castigno.