Hosted by Val, Anthony & Erin

This Culinary Adventure is especially close to our hearts. It is where Epicureans Co. was born. Visiting Anthony’s family in France has always felt profoundly different from simply traveling through a country — it is the feeling of being welcomed, of belonging. We wanted others to experience France the way we do: through family, shared tables, long meals that stretch into the evening, passionate conversations, and the loving debates about how a dish should really be prepared. When we discovered Château de Pitray, the vision became clear: bring friends and family together for a week, live like locals, and share what it truly means to gather around food and wine. That vision became Epicureans Co.

Nestled in the heart of Bordeaux wine country, the Saint-Émilion region is a place where history, gastronomy, and wine culture are inseparable. Cobbled stone villages, manicured vineyards, and centuries-old estates shape a timeless way of life rooted in tradition and generosity. What makes this journey truly unique is the rare opportunity to share it alongside Anthony’s family while staying at Château de Pitray — a living, breathing family estate. This is not a storybook château, but a real home filled with family portraits, heirlooms, and history. Jean, the owner, welcomes us with open arms, and it is not uncommon to be joined by local winemakers stopping by. As a working wine estate, Château de Pitray offers deep immersion into Bordeaux’s wine culture. Living daily life alongside those who know this land intimately transforms the experience from travel into belonging. Here, meals feel like family gatherings, wine is poured with stories, and traditions are lived rather than observed — a deeply personal way to discover Bordeaux, not as a visitor, but as a welcomed guest.

Our home for the week is the majestic Château de Pitray, located just ten minutes from Saint-Émilion. Rich in character and history, the château offers one of a kind immersion into French château life. The property features 13 bedrooms, elegant living rooms, a formal dining room, gardens, a swimming pool, a grand spiral staircase, vaulted banquet rooms, a tower with stunning views and several communal spaces designed for gathering and connection. As a working vineyard, Château de Pitray offers a unique opportunity to stay directly within the rhythms of wine country. Each guest is assigned a private bedroom and shares a bathroom with only one other room, ensuring both comfort and intimacy throughout the stay.

Our activities are designed as a true wine journey, guiding you through every stage of the winemaking process — from vineyard to glass. Throughout the week, you’ll experience grape harvesting and triage in the vineyard, learn about barrel making and aging, and take part in a hands-on Bordeaux wine assemblage workshop where you’ll create your own blend. This immersive approach is paired with rich cultural discovery: guided visits of Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, a scenic cruise along the Garonne River, and an e-bike tour through the vineyards. We’ll explore local markets, enjoy a long-table harvest lunch in the vineyard, visit a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate, and step inside Saint-Émilion’s historic undergrounds. Beyond wine, we’ll savor the region through visits to a truffle farm, a traditional bread-making workshop at an old mill, and a journey to Arcachon Bay to discover oyster farming, ending with a generous oyster feast at a fisherman’s shack. Each experience builds upon the next, creating a deeply immersive and interactive way to understand French culture, wine, and the joy of sharing food at the table.

Please note: Epicureans Co. is a Canadian company based in Canmore, Alberta. Our tours are priced in euros (€) as we operate primarily in Europe and manage all travel-related costs in European currency. Charging in euros helps us maintain transparent pricing and avoid fluctuations in exchange rates.

At checkout, you will be prompted to choose your preferred payment method:

• Credit Card: Convenient, but includes merchant processing fees charged by the provider.

• Wire Transfer: Accepted, though your bank may charge outgoing transfer fees.

• Direct Debit (Preferred): Free of charge with no additional fees.

For the best rate with no extra costs, we recommend selecting Direct Debit when available.