MBA Wine & Spirits Business

Programme objectives

The MBA Wine & Spirits Business is designed for high-potential graduates who have a proven interest in Wine & Spirits and at least 3 years work experience (preferably in the wine & spirits industry).

This programme, which has a strong commercial & management focus, offers students a sound grasp of the requirements of the global market by exposing them to a diversity of cultural experiences and an understanding of the intricacies of the global business of Wine & Spirits.

It is ideal for those looking to reach middle to upper managerial positions in the industry or create their own business but it also offers a wider range of professional outcomes.

Strengths of the programme

An in-depth knowledge of the specific business skills required for the global wine & spirits market

A high-level pedagogic content provided by faculty members and professionals of the industry

• A faculty of experts: a Master of Wine, a wine-maker, a world famous wine writer, including many Ph.D. holders
• A Head of the program with 25 years of hands-on and managerial work experience in the Wine & Spirits sector over 3 continents
• Visiting lecturers from both the professional and academic fields reflecting the international nature of the School

Immersion in the Wine & Spirits world

• Field trips: London Wine Exporting, Distribution & Production Trip (one of the most competitive markets in the world), New York Distribution, Marketing & Communications Trip (largest consumer market in the world) and France (Burgundy, Champagne, Rhône)
• Professional conferences by top managers of the Wine & Spirits industry (Wine & Spirits VIP room)
• Professional trade fair: ProWein in Germany

A combination of sectorial knowledge and management skills

• Courses in Wine & Spirits fundamentals (viticulture & enology etc.) and a world famous certification in the Wine & Spirits education (WSET 2 & 3 training). Training with our in-house Master of Wine, Steve Charter
• Courses in Management applied to the industry, with a special focus on Wine Marketing
• Objective-driven learning through case studies and group works on specialized topics

A unique group dynamic created by participants' cultural and professional diversity

• Face to face courses in small teaching groups (25 students maximum) allowing close follow-up and interactions
• About 10 nationalities creating cultural and professional diversity among students

An ideal place to study wine

• Located in the heart of the world-renowned wine-growing region of Burgundy, awarded UNESCO World Heritage classification
• A unique dedicated building on the campus with a Wine & Spirits Research Lab, a Wine & Spirits store and a tasting room

A worldwide professional network

• 2000 alumni of the School of Wine & Spirits over the world working in management positions in the sector
• Networking opportunities during conferences, field trips and fairs (ProWein, London, etc.) and a Career Center

Networking opportunities with alumni and professionals from renowned organizations

Programme (*)

SEMESTER 1

Product knowledge

-Viticulture & Oenology

-Sensorial analysis with an intercultural approach

-Wines of the World

-Spirits & Liqueurs of the World

-WSET 2 and/or 3 training

Strategic Management

Market & Actors

-Company Strategy

-Evaluating Wine Markets

Wine & Society & Industry Challenges

-Corporate Social Responsibility

Wine & Spirits Marketing

-Consumer Behaviour

-Brand Positioning

-International Brand Portfolio Management

-PR & e-reputation

Wine Business Finance

Law

-Autumn School (Champagne)

-International & Contemporary Legal Issues

Entrepreneurship

SEMESTER 2

Economic Environment

Wine Business Research

Wine Tourism

International Markets & Distribution

-Export Strategies

-Negotiation Training

-Logistics

Adopting Innovation in Wine Business

Digitalization Seminar

Management Control in wine business

Entrepreneurship

Career & Leadership

Human Resources Management

Total face-to-face classes: 550 hours

(*) Subject to adjustments

Requirements

• English language certificate: IELTS 6.5 or TOEIC 800
• An international Bachelor degree
• 3 years of work experience, preferably in the Wine & Spirits sector
• Proven interest in Wine & Spirits

Career opportunities

The MBA Wine & Spirits Business will deliver dramatic new career opportunities for those seeking middle to upper managerial positions in the Wine & Spirits sector.

• General Management (Managing Director, Founder, Area Manager etc.)
• Export (Export Director or Manager)
• Marketing (Marketing Director, Brand Manager etc.)
• Sales (National Sales Managers, Area Sales Manager, Key Account Manager, Brand Ambassador, Wine Educator etc.)
• Communication (Public Relations, Event Manager etc.)
• Purchase (Buyer)
• Finance (Finance Manager)

Meet our Alumni

• Nicolas (French alumni – promotion 2012) - Export Manager at Château de Meursault (France)
• Sahapoom (Thai alumni – promotion 2010) – International Business Development Manager at Singha Beer (Bangkok, Thailand)
• Prateek (Indian alumni – promotion 2010) – Founder at iWine (New Delhi, India)
• Bérénice (Maltese alumni – promotion 2009) – National Sales Manager at Longview Vineyard (Macclesfield, Adelaide Hills)
• Aymeric (French alumni – promotion 2012) - Area Sales Manager South East Asia at Castel (Vietnam)
• Maxime (French alumni – promotion 2012) – Business Development Executive-London Restaurants at Moët Hennessy (London, UK)
• Xingyu (Chinese alumni – promotion 2012)- Brand Ambassador (Shanghai, China)
• Anand (Indian alumni – promotion 2013) – Founder of Nao Spirits & Beverages (New Delhi, India)
• Mingmeng (Chinese alumni – promotion 2013) – Marketing Manager at Australian Premium Wine Group (Adelaide, Australia)