Meet Our Local Artisans

The artists, farmers, makers, and winemakers who bring the French countryside into the Root&Rise experience.

French Bread Making

Sabine | Local Farmer & Artisan Baker

Roll up your sleeves and discover the simple pleasures of baking, sharing, and gathering around fresh bread.

Using a 28-year-old sourdough starter she has lovingly nurtured for decades, Sabine will guide you through the art of crafting naturally fermented French bread from scratch. Along the way, you’ll learn the techniques behind sourdough baking, enjoy the aromas of fresh bread baking in her wood-fired oven, and experience one of France’s most cherished culinary traditions.

The experience culminates in a beautiful communal dinner featuring the fresh bread you’ve baked together, paired with a vibrant, vegetable-forward meal prepared with seasonal ingredients harvested from Sabine’s own farm.

It’s a celebration of simple, nourishing food, meaningful connection, and the joy of gathering around the table.

Hands preparing and shaping floured bread dough during a French baking workshop.

Participants decorating a homemade tart with sliced strawberries during an outdoor cooking workshop.

Women preparing dough in baskets during an outdoor bread-making workshop at Root&Rise.

Two freshly baked artisan sourdough loaves resting on a wooden bench.

Winery Tour at Moulin de Rameau

Sébastien | Winemaker & Owner of Moulin de Rameau

Step inside a one-of-a-kind countryside winery and experience the people, place, and traditions behind each bottle.

Winemaker Sébastien left a career in engineering to follow his passion for sustainable winemaking, training with renowned vineyards across France before creating his own organic vineyard in the Montluçon region.

During this guided experience, you’ll discover the story behind the winery, learn about natural winemaking methods, and taste a selection of handcrafted red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines made with minimal intervention, no added sulfites, and deep respect for the land.

After the tasting, unwind along the peaceful banks of the Cher River and soak in the beauty of the surrounding countryside before heading back to the château.

Winemaker Sébastien and a guest raising wine glasses beside bottles in a stone cellar

Watercolor Workshop

Patricia | French Artist, Author & Educator

Slow down, observe your surroundings, and capture the French countryside through color, creativity, and personal expression.

Her paintings blend nature with poetic surrealism, influenced by the work of René Magritte, North American wildlife, and the visual storytelling of Indigenous art.

Designed for all skill levels, this hands-on workshop invites you to slow down, observe the beauty around you, and express it through watercolor. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or have years of experience, Patricia’s gentle teaching style encourages creativity, curiosity, and confidence.

You’ll learn watercolor techniques, explore your own artistic style, and leave with a finished painting to take home as a meaningful keepsake from your time in the French countryside. More than an art class, this experience is an opportunity to reconnect with your creativity and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of painting surrounded by nature.