Our wine weeks at Baron Figues are all-inclusive and intimate. Intimate groups of six to eight guests, boutique family vineyards rather than commercial tours, and the singular treat of Armagnac country — the Southwest’s own centuries-old brandy, made almost entirely by small producers who still bottle by hand.
What's included
- Seven nights' accommodation — private en-suite bedroom with countryside views
- All meals, with every dinner paired with wines to match
- All drinks — regional wines, Armagnac, champagne, aperitifs, soft drinks
- Structured tastings led by your host in the cellar
- Visits to at least two boutique family vineyards
- Armagnac distillery tour with full tasting
- Complimentary transfers from Agen train station
- Airport transfers on request
The Southwest is the most underrated wine region in France. Gaillac, Madiran, Buzet, Saint-Mont — these are honest wines made by people who still pick their own grapes. I don't want to lecture you about terroir; I want you to taste the difference between two vineyards two kilometres apart and see why it matters.
Read the full guide
The wines you'll taste
Southwest France is a patchwork of small appellations that most wine drinkers never meet. Across a week you’ll taste across:
- Gaillac — one of the oldest wine regions in France, with indigenous grapes you can’t find elsewhere
- Madiran — deep, tannic reds from Tannat, traditionally paired with duck and cassoulet
- Buzet & Côtes-de-Duras — approachable reds, rosés, and whites on our doorstep
- Saint-Mont & Pacherenc — lesser-known but outstanding Pyrenean-foothill wines
- Armagnac — France’s older, smaller brandy region, tasted properly at a working distillery
A typical wine week
- Thursday — Arrival, pickup from Agen, aperitif, first dinner with a regional wine flight.
- Friday — Morning wine fundamentals tasting in the cellar. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner with wine pairings.
- Saturday — Visit to a small-production vineyard with an owner-led tasting and lunch in the chai.
- Sunday — Armagnac distillery tour + tasting. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner focused on the duck-and-Madiran classic pairing.
- Monday — Day trip to a second, contrasting vineyard.
- Tuesday — Blind-tasting session in the cellar, farewell gala dinner with cellar picks.
- Wednesday — Breakfast and departure.
Why Southwest France for wine?
Bordeaux is famous and Burgundy is exhaustively catalogued. The Southwest’s wines are as good, often older, and sold almost entirely to locals. You can visit three family vineyards in a morning and be welcomed each time by the person who makes the wine. It’s genuinely the best place in France to learn about wine without the commercial machinery.
Getting here
Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) airport is the most natural choice for wine guests — it’s about 90 minutes away and lets you stop in the Bordeaux region en route if you have a spare day. Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) is equally quick. We provide complimentary transfers from Agen train station (roughly two hours from Paris on the TGV); airport transfers can be arranged for a small additional fee. Self-drive directions are sent after booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need wine knowledge to join?
None at all. We work from the ground up — what you're smelling, what you're tasting, why the grape matters. Complete beginners and seasoned drinkers both leave with something new.
How many glasses am I drinking per day?
Tastings are structured — small pours, spittoons provided if you prefer not to swallow. Evenings are relaxed with paired wines at dinner. You'll drink as much or as little as you like; nobody's keeping score.
Can non-drinkers or drivers come along?
Yes — a non-participating partner rate is available. Soft drinks and sparkling water are always on hand, and the non-alcohol parts of the week (markets, meals, walks, pool) are still excellent.
Will I actually visit vineyards, or is it all at the farmhouse?
You'll visit at least two family vineyards during the week, plus an Armagnac distillery. Cellar tastings at Baron Figues complement the on-site visits rather than replacing them.
Are bottles available to buy and take home?
Yes — most vineyards we visit sell direct. Your host can advise on what will travel well and quantities permitted. Shipping is occasionally possible for larger orders.
What's the best time of year for a wine week?
Late May through early July and September are our favourite weeks — fewer tourists at vineyards, vines in leaf, harvest nearing. Late September and early October sometimes coincide with small-producer harvests, which is a treat if you can get a spot.