Inventor of the term “wine tourism” in 1995.
With over 45 years of experience in every facet of the wine world, I guide you toward a more intuitive and sensitive understanding of wine. I speak four languages: French, English, German… and the language of wine : its emotion, its taste, its balance, its purity.
As a lifelong musician, I approach wine with the same passion and precision. Everything is music to my ears, and I hear every off note.
I serve as your bridge to decode grape varieties and terroirs, to grasp wine’s philosophy, and to explore the hidden history and geography inside every bottle.
I don’t claim to know everything.
I simply invite you to think differently about wine, because times have changed.
My Journey Through the Great Wine Regions of France
From 1981 to 1984, I studied oenology at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, the cradle of Burgundian wine culture.
From 1984 to 1995, I deepened my understanding of winemaking in Bordeaux, where I explored both tradition and innovation.
I then traveled to Château de Laubade in Armagnac, learning the art of distillation and the nuances of brandy.
In Provence, I spent time at Domaine Moulin des Costes and Domaine Saint Romain d’Esclan, where I immersed myself in the sun-kissed southern terroirs.
In Champagne, I studied with small growers from De Castellane, refining my palate and respect for méthode champenoise.
Back in Burgundy, I worked in major wine cellars, including the Cave des Hautes Côtes de Beaune.
I completed this formative journey at Domaine Nicolas Rossignol, where I reconnected with the precision of Burgundian craftsmanship.
Then came a turning point: in 1996, I met Olivier Leflaive. I became the in-house sommelier for his Maison, a role I proudly held for the next 11 years and the beginning of a new chapter in my wine storytelling journey.
Since 2007, I work as a private guide, wine educator, and creator of bespoke wine experiences — helping others discover wine not just with the head, but with the heart.