5-Day Bordeaux Food and Wine Retreat at L'Orangerie with chef Yann Florio

The 5 day food and wine retreat at the L’Orangerie, a historic luxury villa in Duras, will be hosted by the wine expert Nicolle Croft and Yann Florio on the dates of May 7-12, 2023.

Chef Yann Florio will prepare all meals from seasonal and local produce including two food and wine matching dinners with specially created menus in partnership with Nicolle Croft on the wine selection. Yann Florio is a third generation chef from Lorraine in the North East of France. Having studied Culinary Arts & Pâtisserie at the prestigious Saint Andree for five years, he went on to apprentice under Anthony Pean at the two Michelin starred La Pomme Canelle in Luxembourg.

At just 23 years old he became the head pastry chef at high-end London venue Corrigans in Mayfair. Yann quickly became highly sought after, working with consultancy teams on corporate events throughout the capital and the rest of Europe. He then launched his first luxury catering company aged 26. Yann now boasts a career which includes running a 3 AA rosette kitchen, reaching the finals of the BBC’s MasterChef The Professionals in 2019, and working closely with restaurants around the world on menu development. He has founded his own high end food business, offering events that range from intimate luxury dinners to exclusive parties in some of the most iconic venues in the country.

Wine expert Nicolle Croft will be leading two exceptional wine tours to the Right Bank Saint-Émilion/Pomerol and another to the Left Bank Pessac Leognan, Graves and Sauternes. You will visit a mix of some of the most prestigious properties and some key dynamic small producers, meet the winemakers and understand this dynamic region from the inside.

Guests will be accommodated at L'Orangerie, a historic house, whose 800-year-old bastion forms part of the ancient fortifications of Château Duras, and is now a luxurious country retreat. L’Orangerie boasts six spacious ensuite bedrooms, each with south-facing views of the Dropt valley; two superbly-equipped kitchens; a choice of indoor and outdoor dining, and ample private parking.

In addition to the wine and food pairings, there will be plenty of time to visit the local country market, relax by the pool, walk or bike in the countryside, do some yoga, have a massage or just enjoy the views of the valley below from this beautiful place with the backdrop of the historic Château de Duras.