Helen Gillespie-Peck  

Areas of speciality:

WSET courses

Wine courses in Bergerac 

Travel Holidays

Lectures

Tastings

Helen Gillespie-Peck started taking an interest in wine during the 70's by becoming a member of the Guild of Sommeliers and Guild of Cellar Masters in London. 

In 1983 she studied wine at the Conseil Interprofessional des Vin de la Region de Bergerac before taking up work as a travel guide specialising in wine regions of France.

In 1989 she was intronised as a Dame of Le Marechal des Cotes de Duras and Chevalier de Le Commanderie des Echansons du Loupiac.

In 1990, Helen started her own company HGP Wine Tours. And in 1994 L'Académie du Vin DEVON was started in Torquay and Exeter.

She became a member of the Association of Wine Educators and in 1996, a Managing Director of Wine Associates Ltd.

In 1997, she lectured part time at South Devon College, preparing students for the WSET Intermediate and Advance Examinations.

In 1998 she started writing for Devon Magazines and in 1999 became an Accredited Tutor for WSET.  This followed in 2000 by joining the Circle of Wine Writers.

In 2001 she returned to live in France and shares the management running of a 26 ha vineyard, Château Monplaisir.

In 2002, she wrote the Tourist Wine Guides for Bergerac and Lot et Garonne and started L'Académie du Vin Bergerac at Chateau Monplaisir, Bergerac.

She has practical working knowledge of wine regions in France, Spain and Portugal, Italy, Germany, California and Canada.