By François MILLO
The vineyard has long been a matter of terroir, know-how, and transmission. In the Var region, it has also become a territory for artistic expression. For nearly thirty years, the event Art and Wine invites visitors to discover wine estates with a different perspective, that of creation: a natural encounter between two worlds that share the same relationship to time, matter and emotion.
A meeting between two forms of creation
Created in 1998 by the Independent Winegrowers of the Var region, the event has gradually established itself as one of the unique cultural highlights of the Provençal summer. Each year, around fifty estates, châteaux, and cellars host painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, visual artists, and street artists. The artworks are installed in cellars, wine stores, or directly among the vines, transforming the wine estates into spaces for discovery and dialogue.
For its recent editions, Art et Vins has chosen the theme of metamorphosis. A choice that resonates particularly strongly in the world of wine. For wine itself is a transformation: that of the grape becoming wine thanks to the patient work of man and time. A metamorphosis that finds an obvious echo in the artistic process, when raw material becomes work and expression.
Art and wine as a shared experience
Over the years, the event has mirrored the evolution of wine tourism. Visitors no longer come simply to taste wine; they seek to understand a place, meet the people who bring it to life, and share a meaningful experience. Art et Vins fully meets this expectation by creating bridges between artistic creation, heritage, and wine culture.
Throughout the season, exhibitions, opening receptions, concerts, vineyard walks, talks, and winegrowers' picnics offer opportunities to extend the experience. These events foster exchanges between artists, winemakers, and visitors in a convivial atmosphere that is one of the hallmarks of the event.
Through Art and Wine, vineyards become much more than just places of production. They assert themselves as spaces for culture and sharing where wine is no longer simply a product, but the expression of a lifestyle.
At the Vaudois Castle, the "Trilogy" exhibition:
A short distance from the Mediterranean, not far from Saint Raphael, the Castle Vaudois perfectly illustrates the spirit of Art and Wine. Until the end of September, the Salle aux Étoiles at the estate is hosting "Trilogy," an exhibition that combines the works of François Millo, Sophie Chiotti et Marika Guevellou.
For several years, the family Delli ZottiThe owner of the Château places artistic patronage at the heart of the estate's identity. Here, the artworks are not merely decorative. They engage in a dialogue with the contemporary architecture, the clean lines of the space, and the light that generously floods the exhibition areas.
Three perspectives, one shared sensitivity
Photographer, traveler, and renowned author in the world of Provençal wine, François Millo presents a series of photographs: his attention to framing, textures, colors, and subtle nuances reveals a sensitive and discerning eye. A range of serene images that invite reflection, or those captured spontaneously, as if to seize the moment before it vanishes.
Sophie Chiotti's works, meanwhile, explore the notions of emptiness and presence. Trained at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts, she develops a delicate universe where painting, photography, ink, and collage interact in a constant search for balance and simplicity.
This reflection finds a natural echo in the work of Marika Guevellou. Trained at the Beaux-Arts, the artist has been exploring the role of emptiness as a space of freedom for over twenty years. In her compositions, the spaces left open become places for interpretation and a breath of fresh air for the eye.
Coherence and serenity:
What strikes visitors upon arrival is undoubtedly the overall coherence. More than a mere juxtaposition of works, the exhibition offers a silent dialogue between the artists, the architecture, and the surrounding landscape. The Mediterranean light, the proximity of the vineyards, and the elegance of the setting create the conditions for a discovery that is both serene and attentive.
Like a wine tasting, the visit invites you to take your time. Observe, feel, revisit a work, let impressions build. An approach that ultimately echoes that of wine: an art of patience, transformation, and sharing.
Wine as a collection of emotions:
Since the last century, the perception of wine has profoundly evolved: from a consumer product often tasted while seeking out its technical characteristics and requiring one to "know how to talk about it," we have paradoxically moved to a simpler approach for a more complex product! Tasting is now less intimidating; the goal is no longer to guess where it comes from or how it was made. The central question has thankfully returned to the essential: "Do I like it?" At the same time, wine lovers want to know more about the winemaker themselves, their story or their environment, and if possible, meet them at their estate. This evolution has fostered the development of wine tourism for years. When visiting a château, wine is no longer just a liquid, and when tasting it, one now imagines the winemaker's face, their life, their work, their vineyard, or even their art exhibition… wine becomes a complex product, a rich tapestry of emotions.
The "Art and Wine" festival, which is almost thirty years old, is entirely conceived and managed by the Federation of Independent Winegrowers of Var-Alpes-Corsica. This federation has 400 members and represents more than 80% of independent producers in the Var region. This management reflects the winegrowers' commitment to actively welcoming the public.
Escapades France – AFJET
Photos: François MILLO
