Terracotta & terroir
8 DAY HANDBUILDING WORKSHOP
OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 14, 2025
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Join ceramist Daphné Verley for an 8-day ceramics workshop at Château Gigault, an 18th-century château surrounded by vineyards in the Bordeaux region. Students will create Mexican folk art candelabras, renowned for their storytelling details and symbolic designs. This project was chosen not only for the intricate beauty of these folk art pieces but because it demands construction within a consecutive multi-day time frame. Suitable for all skill levels, the workshop emphasizes hands-on experience essential for creating these intricate forms.
Having devoted a lifetime to working with clay and teaching at all skill levels, be assured you will have the support you need as Daphné shepherds you through all phases of creation from wet clay construction to glazing and firing. Each individual experience and outcome will vary as students navigate this meditative process, as important as the final outcome while in community with like minded creatives.
Beyond the ceramics studio, the experience includes wine tastings and vineyard tours led by our host, Christophe Reboul Salze, a former Bordeaux négociant of fine wines and the owner of Château Gigault since 1998. Participants will also explore the charming historic village of Saint-Émilion, famous for its prestigious wines. This workshop offers an ideal blend of artistic creativity, cultural enrichment, and relaxation.
Setting
Château Gigault, perched in the appellation d'origine contrôlée of Blaye on the Gironde estuary 50 minutes north of Bordeaux, is both a historic château and working vineyard dating back to the 18th century. The estate and surrounding countryside will be a peaceful backdrop whether creating in the studio or resting by the pool.
Our host, Christophe, will introduce us to the rich winemaking traditions of the Blayais terroir—famous for its historical Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, Blaye hosts a memorable Saturday market which you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing first hand.
workshop
This workshop uniquely combines artisanal tradition with individual artistic expression. Mexican candelabras, originally known as "árboles de vida," are famed for their elaborate structures and narrative details depicting historical and mythical tales. From an initial sketch, Daphné will help you shape and engineer your candelabra’s form through foundational techniques such as coiling, pinching, and carving, followed by glazing. At the end of the workshop, each participant will have a unique, finished candelabra to take home as a lasting memento.
Studio days will begin with breakfast at 8:30AM, followed by morning instruction from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. We will break for lunch until 2:30PM, during which time we encourage you to explore the nearby villages where restaurants abound. After lunch, you’ll be free to continue working independently in the studio, relax by the pool, or explore the surrounding countryside until dinner at 7:30PM. The afternoon studio session will be more self directed to implement the morning’s demonstration with Daphné present to shepherd you through any challenges.
Experiences
Nightly wine tasting
Each evening, Christophe will open his cellar and choose a curated selection of vintages from Château Gigault, Bordeaux, and beyond. His extensive knowledge and passion the for making, enjoying, and sharing of good wine elevates every evening into a memorable experience, demystifying terroir and production techniques without pretension.
chateau gigault wine production tour
Explore the estate’s hectares of Merlot-dominant vines, viticulture and winemaking traditions firsthand. Christophe leads an immersive tour, detailing the vineyard’s history, grape varietals, and meticulous production process—including harvesting, fermentation in traditional concrete vats, aging in French oak barrels, and careful bottling. Château Gigault’s renowned Cuvée Viva, praised by critics, exemplifies the excellence of the Blaye appellation.
Saint Emillion vineyard excursion
While the kiln works its magic mid-workshop, students will explore Saint-Émilion, a medieval village famous for its exceptional wines and historic charm, on a professionally guided tour. We will visit a Cru Classé chateau and taste their wines, followed by a bucolic lunch amongst the vines. This excursion provides an unforgettable glimpse into one of Bordeaux’s most iconic wine regions.
Accomodations
Participants will occupy private rooms overlooking the vines with shared bathrooms and access to all areas of the chateau for meals in the kitchen and dining room or for relaxing in the living rooms, the garden or poolside, weather permitting.
For those who prefer, 2 spacious bedrooms will be available with private baths for an additional fee
Breakfast will typically include fresh croissants and pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs, coffee and tea. Dinner will be made from scratch each night, imbued with seasonal local flavors, and always capped with a cheese course in the French tradition
Accommodations can be made for those who wish to arrive early or leave later if necessary.
details & pricing
Sunday
October 5
Arrivals Welcome dinner
monday
October 6
Studio day
Tuesday
October 7
Studio day
Wednesday
October 8
Studio day
thursday
October 9
Studio day
friday
October 10
Saint Emillion excursion
saturday
October 11
Saturday market
Studio day
Sunday
October 12
Studio day
monday
October 13
Studio day
Farewell dinner
tuesday
October 14
Pack up and departures
The workshop is limited to eight participants, with a minimum of six required for it to take place.
Students will arrive in the afternoon on Sunday, October 5th for a welcome dinner, and the workshop will begin on Monday, October 6th.
Arrangements for transportation to and from the Bordeaux airport are available upon request for an added fee.
Unless otherwise noted, workshop prices include:
Instruction, studio time, firing, materials and supplies
Private bedroom with either a shared or private bathroom
Breakfast, dinner, and nightly wine paring experience
Chateau Gigault vineyard tour experience
Saint Emillion vineyard excursion
Packing materials will be provided at the end of the workshop. Shipping to transport your finished pieces home is available with an added fee for postage.
As each guest room can accommodate two, spouses not participating in the workshop are welcome to join and explore all that Blaye and Bordeaux has to offer while students create. The eight day board fee covering meals and wine for included partners is $550 USD.
Private room, shared bath
Comfortable private bedroom with either one queen or two twin beds. Includes workshop, breakfast, dinner with wine pairings, and Saint Emillion excursion.
$3,400 USD
sign up
Private room, private bath
Comfortable private bedroom with a queen bed and private bathroom. Includes workshop, breakfast, dinner with wine pairings, and Saint Emillion excursion.
$3,700 USD
sign up
$1,700 USD deposit due when minimum class size is reached and workshop is confirmed