Provence House

La Verrière - The History of Glass Making

La Verrière - The History of Glass Making

What is in a name? La Verrière is the French name for a glass-making workshop and our property was named as such by the nobleman, Aliot de Montvin (one of our white wines is named after him), in 1427. It is thought he moved his mobile furnaces here to make use of the nearby forests to keep them burning at the high temperatures required for making glass. This fired (excuse the pun) our interest in glassmaking so we wanted to share with you some history about how glass is made and how this art evolved particularly in France.

A Magical Christmas in Provence

A Magical Christmas in Provence

As you can imagine by the altitude of our location, Christmas at La Verrière is beautifully snowy, cosy and magical. It’s the season for truffle hunting and skiing but there are also fascinating and absolutely adorable Christmas traditions in Provence that we recommend looking out for. The Christmas period in this region stretches from 4th December to 2nd February which helps to make a stay in Provence in the winter so special. Here are some Christmas highlights…

Chocolaterie de Crestet

Chocolaterie de Crestet

A visit to our beloved “Chocolaterie de Crestet” this week reminded me of what I love about France. We are so lucky that even in a tiny town like ours we have a world-class chocolate and nougat artisan, Yves Telleron, who has trained with the best and now supplies his delectable creations even to the most demanding international clients such as Fortnum and Mason.

It’s a Vine Life – Come and Stay with Us and ‘Harvest’ your wine knowledge

It’s a Vine Life – Come and Stay with Us and ‘Harvest’ your wine knowledge

Visitors have the opportunity to experience the whole winemaking journey here at La Verriere. Harvest is of course an extra special time of the year in the vineyard and the winery, and guests are able to have a unique insight into viticulture and winemaking - quite literally from the grape to the glass. There are a variety of wine-related activities and workshops on offer at La Verriere throughout the year, catering for all levels of wine enthusiasts from novice to collector.

The Vendange (Wine Harvest)

It’s vital that the utmost care is taken to preserve the precious juice of our grapes so that we can turn it into our award-winning wine, so all our grapes are picked by hand and sorted by hand on a vibrating sorting table. Visitors can come and observe the harvest and be part of the incredible atmosphere at this time of year. We can also organise bespoke educational programmes around the harvest too.

A Stay that’s Provençal but definitely not Provincial

A Stay that’s Provençal but definitely not Provincial

Imagining a medieval priory as being somewhat basic in what it is has to offer is entirely understandable. But La Verriere is far from basic. Tucked away on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a large part of the charm of this whole house hire is its idyllic seclusion. But rather than being a slightly provincial or ‘shabby chic’ place to stay, La Verriere oozes with eco-luxury accommodation and provides guests with a ‘medieval meets modern’ taste of Provence - from the beautiful setting, to the gastronomic organic and locally sourced food, to the biodynamic wines produced from the estate’s ancient vineyards.

Where the Worlds of Business and Wine Intertwine

Where the Worlds of Business and Wine Intertwine

Wine and business have been intertwined (or maybe intert-wined!) for as long as both have existed. Whether in networking, negotiating deals, impressing customers or rewarding employees, wine often plays an important role in oiling the wheels of commerce. But wine retreats don’t just provide an interesting and productive way to do business or share ideas, they provide a getaway for people to escape from their daily lives, refresh themselves and be inspired by coming together in different surroundings.

Located in a stunning, secluded, spot in a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Verriere has extensive conferencing and meeting facilities. Having our own vineyard and state of the art winery enables us to offer 'extreme' wine-related activities that go far beyond a normal wine tasting – something to give any corporate event that extra special edge.

Why Historic Buildings Make Such Great Wedding Venues

Why Historic Buildings Make Such Great Wedding Venues

Some people spend years dreaming about their wedding day, so when the day finally arrives it is important for everything to be as perfect as possible. The venue for the wedding is an essential and integral part in creating that most special of days. Everyone has their own personal vision when it comes to the ideal wedding venue, but historic buildings are a popular choice for some very good reasons.

Unique

There are many beautiful and unique modern buildings in the world. But there is something truly magical about an ancient building, perhaps due to its history and the way it may have been used, adapted and remodelled over the years. Holding your wedding in a venue that is steeped in history adds that extra special ingredient to the ‘Perfect Wedding’ recipe. It can make you and your guests feel as though you have been transported back to a bygone era and is an ideal choice for people who have a theme that can be reflected in the historic surroundings. As a 9th Century Priory, La Verrière has the benefit of being a substantial house in a breathtaking setting, with an austere religious past – making it adaptable to many different wedding themes.