A look back at this exceptional trip!
Each year, before embarking on their careers in the world of wine and spirits, our MBA 2 Wine & Spirits Marketing and International Trade students conclude their studies with an exceptional study trip.
The goal? To deepen their understanding of the terroirs, meet the emblematic figures of the sector and live unique experiences at the heart of the most fascinating properties.
For this 2024-2025 edition, we had the immense privilege of being guided by Florence Cathiard, godmother of the promotion and owner of the prestigious Château Smith Haut Lafitte.
A pioneer in wine tourism and a fervent advocate of sustainable viticulture, she opened the doors to her world for us, marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey.
Heading to Bordeaux, a land of history and innovation, where our students experienced three days of intense learning and emotions in contact with the women and men who are shaping the future of wine.
Learn all about Florence Cathiard here: www.smith-haut-lafitte.com
FLORENCE CATHIARD
The journey
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte – Pessac-Léognan:
When excellence meets innovation
The first stop was an essential one: Château Smith Haut Lafitte, the birthplace of our patron, Florence Cathiard. Upon entering the estate, our students discovered much more than just a vineyard: a true laboratory of innovation and respect for the terroir. Welcomed into her private salon, they had the opportunity to speak with Florence Cathiard about her career, her commitment, and how she and her husband, Daniel, have transformed this Grand Cru Classé into a global benchmark.
Cabernet Sauvignon (56 %), Merlot (38 %), Cabernet Franc (5 %), Petit Verdot (1 %): here, the balance between power and finesse is sought at every stage. In the cellar, barrels made on-site allow for bespoke aging, imparting a controlled oak influence to the wines. The tasting revealed a structured wine, driven by a beautiful freshness and subtle aromas of black fruit and spice.
The tone is set. The journey can begin.
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• Château Ausone – Saint-Emilion:
A myth in all its intimacy
Our students had the immense privilege of entering one of the most secret and coveted estates in Saint-Émilion: Château Ausone.
Perched on a limestone promontory, it majestically overlooks the valley. Édouard Vauthier welcomes us and leads us into the depths of his cellars, carved directly into the rock.
Here, time seems to stand still.
The Merlot (55% ABV) and Cabernet Franc (45% ABV) express themselves in a refined wine, combining concentration and freshness. Tasting revealed a balanced wine, with aromas of dark fruit and a fine tannic structure, typical of the estate's limestone terroir. A beautiful expression of Saint-Émilion, where elegance prevails over power.
A suspended moment, outside of time.
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• Château Soutard – Saint-Émilion:
Vertical tasting and perfect pairings
New stop, new atmosphere. Château Soutard, a majestic architecture, a luminous wine cellar, an estate where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously.
Our students enjoyed a vertical tasting, a valuable exercise in understanding how vintages shape a wine. Made primarily from Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, the estate's wine evolves over time, gaining in complexity and suppleness.
The lunch that follows is a lesson in itself: food and wine pairings, textures that complement each other, balance of flavors… A treat for the taste buds, and for the mind.
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• Château Le Puy – Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux
A legendary wine revealed by Les Gouttes de Dieu
How can a discreet domain become a global phenomenon? All it takes is a manga, The Drops of God, and a wine that breaks the mold.
Here, there are no chemicals, no artificial additives. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère—a 100% natural and biodynamic approach. The tasting revealed a wine with an ethereal profile, marked by notes of red fruit and a lovely freshness on the palate. An atypical style, far removed from classic Bordeaux, which captivated our students.
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• Domaine de l'Aurage – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
The sincerity of a passionate winemaker
An interview with Louis Mitjavile, heir to a family know-how passed down by his father.,
François Mitjavile (Tertre Roteboeuf).
Here, Merlot (85 %) and Cabernet Franc (15 %) express themselves on a clay-limestone terroir, giving a wine with aromas of black fruits, with a beautiful roundness and a balanced structure.
Our students discovered an approach where every detail counts, from the optimal ripeness of the grapes to careful barrel aging. A wine true to its terroir, in keeping with the Mitjavile style.
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• Château Mouton Rothschild – Pauillac
When wine becomes a work of art
A cellar of rare elegance, barrels lined up with military precision, a history that spans centuries. Château Mouton Rothschild is the sacred union of wine and art.
Each vintage bears the signature of a renowned artist: Picasso, Warhol, Chagall… But the true masterpiece? It's in the glass. Cabernet Sauvignon (80% ABV), Merlot, Cabernet Franc: a full-bodied and structured wine, where the oak integrates perfectly with the fruit. A wine built for aging, which will reveal its full complexity over time.
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• Château Lynch-Bages – Pauillac
A modern and ambitious vision
A cathedral of wine stands before us. The new winery at Château Lynch-Bages is a jewel of innovation, a sanctuary where every detail is optimized to reveal the quintessence of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our students observe, listen, taste. Here, precision is at the service of the wine: a beautiful tannic structure, aromas of ripe fruit, a structure that combines power and balance.
It's technical, it's impressive, it's fascinating.
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• Château Ferrière – Margaux
A model of biodynamic agriculture
Claire Villars-Lurton welcomes us to Château Ferrière, a jewel of Margaux, where every gesture is designed to preserve the land and enhance the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage, supported by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. On the palate, a straightforward and elegant wine, with lovely tension and a delicate finish. This estate proves that the future of winemaking is as respectful as it is excellent.
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• Château Pape Clément – Pessac-Léognan
An inspiring exchange with Bernard Magrez
Penultimate stop, and not the least important: Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, where Bernard Magrez awaits us.
Our students explored an estate where each plot has its own story, a story that dates back to the 13th century. Thanks to rigorous selection, each terroir is vinified separately to reveal its full finesse. The château, combining meticulous expertise with respect for the environment, produces exceptional wines. The winemaker shares his perspective on the profession: audacity, innovation, perseverance. His words resonate and inspire.
A memorable exchange, an unforgettable tasting. Thank you for this moment!
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• Château La Mission Haut-Brion – Pessac-Léognan
The highlight of the show?
The final stop takes us back to the origins of Bordeaux. Château La Mission Haut-Brion represents history, prestige, and pure elegance.
The visit immerses us in the past; the cellars whisper memories. But the tasting is firmly rooted in the present. Château Haut-Brion 2017: a structured wine, carried by subtle notes of tobacco and dark fruit, with a long and balanced finish.
A beautiful conclusion to a timeless journey.
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A journey etched in memories
From the warm welcome at Château Smith Haut Lafitte to the inspiring exchanges with Bernard Magrez, and the discovery of Bordeaux gems, our students experienced a total immersion in the world of wine.
A huge thank you to all the estates visited, our partners and our godmother Florence Cathiard for these unique moments, which will undoubtedly mark the beginning of a great professional adventure for our future wine experts.
