Jean BIGNALL
Food & Beverage Manager
Melia Hotels International
Paris, France
Promo 2024
Vatel Bordeaux
Vatel Bordeaux's MBA International Wine & Spirits Management specialisation
MBA specialisation in Wine & Spirits
To join hotel and gastronomic establishments where wine is a particular issue, this specialisation represents the ideal path. It is also interesting for people wishing to pursue a career in oenology and beverage activities in the hospitality industry or wishing to perfect their personal culture.
The MBA specialising in wine and spirits is made for students wishing to develop their theoretical and practical skills in the spirits sector.
The Wine & Spirits management specialisation is done in the 2nd year of the MBA program Director in International Hospitality, only on the Vatel Bordeaux campus (link to the Vatel Bordeaux page). This specialisation does not require any prerequisites related to the world of wine.
Embracing a career in wine and spirits management implies knowing the reality of the market and the needs of companies. Distributors and importers require players who can understand the international wine market.
This orientation therefore requires:
- A strong interest in gastronomy and viticulture
- Mastery of risk management
- Commercial and communication skills
- Knowledge of economic law
- Practice of business English (and other languages if possible)
The personal qualities appreciated by this course are open-mindedness, sociability, curiosity and creativity.
The Wine & Spirits Management specialisation program
Located in the cradle of the world's greatest wines and eaux-de-vie, the hotel management school Vatel Bordeaux offers a first-class course in this field.
The MBA specialising in International Wine & Spirits Management provides a modern and pragmatic education. It makes it possible to integrate a sector in full transformation, leading to an adaptation of practices according to consumption patterns.
Specialised courses
Integrated into the MBA program Director in International Hospitality, the wine & spirits management specialisation can be chosen by the student during the second year of training.
It is based on technical knowledge of wines and spirits as well as the management of wine-making activities. It is orchestrated by very high-level speakers to ensure a strong anchoring in the professional world.
- Beverage management in BHR (bar-hotel-restaurant)
- Strategy of international trade in the Wine & Spirits Industry
- Brand marketing, sales & distribution of wines and spirits
- Tourism, promotion & events
- Financial management
- Grapevines & the wine Law
- Language of wine and spirits
- Preparation of WSET 2 and WSET 3
During the course, each student completes a 6-month professional internship, an essential immersion to put into practice the knowledge acquired in class and develop their skills in real conditions.
The wine, beer and spirits sector is a particularly dynamic and promising field, both in France and internationally. Thanks to this diversity of opportunities, you will be able to complete your internship in a variety of environments and thus gain valuable experience for your future career.
You will be able to request:
- Restaurants
- Hotels/palaces
- Wine estates
- Wine cellars
- Merchants
- Mass distribution
- The field of events (organisation of trade shows, wine fairs, etc.)
In addition, the professionals on campus will be at your side to support you and help you build and carry out your professional project. The B permit is a plus if you plan to work in a wine estate.
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Opportunities for the MBA specialising in wine and spirits management
The specialisation in wines and spirits offers many career opportunities, both in France and internationally. Whether in the hotel and restaurant industry, in commerce or in events.
- Export Manager
- Wine & spirits merchant
- Brand ambassador
- Retail buyer
- Sales manager
- Communications Officer
- Event Manager
- Wine tourism manager
- Founding partner
- Business development manager
- Wine Sommelier
- Oenologist
- Chef de rang
Clémence Planty
MBA specialisation Wine & Spirits 2014
Director and owner Château de Malle - France
« Vatel Bordeaux gave me much more than knowledge: an international vision, a culture of detail, and a rigor essential to those who want to promote the French art of living. Thanks to the MBA, I was able to combine my passion for wine with a demanding training in management and hospitality, which structured my entire career. After having forged my experience in prestigious Grands Crus Classés, I was able to invest to take over the reins of Château de Malle, classified as a Grand Cru and Historic Monument. My training at Vatel Bordeaux remains the solid foundation on which this passionate adventure is based. »
Aditya Lamba
Alumnus 2016
Bacardi Martini Sales Manager – Singapore
« The courses had everything that might be needed for aspiring sommeliers, hospitality professionals and students with an inclination to work with wine and spirits brands. I realised the real value of having such a specialised degree once I started working for wine companies and progressed through my career in Asia and have ventured into the spirits category very recently with Bacardi Martini representing prestigious brands such a Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Patron »
Enzo Ferrantin
MBA specialisation Wine & Spirits 2020
First sommelier of the gastronomic restaurant Jean Imbert at the Plaza Athénée - Paris, France
« The International Wine & Spirits Management specialisation explains why I came to Vatel Bordeaux. Moreover, the possibility of preparing and passing the Wine & Spirits Education Trust level 3 allowed me to understand all the richness of the Professional world of wine, which contributes greatly to my current career choice. Courses taught in English are also a strength, the world of work requires it more and more and it is important to have a good foundation from the beginning. In general, this training has given me a commercial approach, a spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship that serves me on a daily basis. »
F.A.Q.
MBA specialisation in International Wine & Spirits Management
As the specialisation is accessible in the 2nd year, the student must follow the admission process for the MBA program Director in International Hospitality.
The admission process is done in several stages:
- Fill out an online application form for Vatel Bordeaux.
- If your application is admissible, you will be invited to a 2-stage entrance exam.
- The competition allows you to assess your qualities, your skills and your motivation for the hotel and tourism professions with a test and an online interview.
- Admission is confirmed by email after deliberation.
Yes, the program includes a 6-month internship at the end of the 2nd year. This internship is an essential part of the training. You can do it in various companies in the sector, whether in France or internationally, thanks to the Vatel network.
To join the MBA program Director in International Hospitality at Vatel Bordeaux, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Tourism Management or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management with minimum 6 months work experience in hotels or restaurants. The wine and spirits specialisation is offered in the 2nd year of the MBA program.
Yes, it is possible to join the program without specific prerequisites in the field of wine. The specialisation is designed to provide the technical foundation and management applied to the industry, so you don't need to be an expert before you start.
The program focuses on several modules, including beverage management in the hotel and restaurant industry, strategy of international trade, marketing, sales, distribution, financial management, law as well as wine and spirits related tourism and events. Practical tasting classes and vineyard visits are planned. In addition, the Vatel Bordeaux campus is equipped with dedicated tasting rooms.
Yes, the Wine and Spirits specialisation at Vatel offers the opportunity to prepare for WSET Level 2 and Level 3 certifications in Wine and Spirits.
Graduates of this MBA can move into management positions in a variety of industries. Among the opportunities, there are professions such as:
- Wine & Spirits Export Sales Manager
- Wine and spirits merchant
- Wine and spirits store manager
- Wine tourism event manager
- Manager of a hotel or restaurant establishment with a strong wine component
The program is designed to have an international dimension, preparing students to work anywhere in the world. Graduates are sought after for positions as managers and entrepreneurs, and the end-of-studies internship can be completed abroad to facilitate an international career.
Yes, the MBA program focuses on strategic and operational management, which prepares graduates for management positions in the fields of hospitality, catering, commerce, and the export of wines and spirits.
Graduates are mainly oriented towards the sectors of international trade (import/export), hotel and catering, wine and spirits trade, wine tourism consulting, and brand management.
The specialization in wine and spirits is offered on the campus of Vatel Bordeaux, a city known worldwide for its vineyards.
The courses are mainly taught at the Campus les Chartrons:
4 Cours du Médoc - 33300 BORDEAUXTram B: stop "Cours du Médoc"Bus: 45 - stop "Cours du Médoc"Parking: Q-Park Bordeaux Quai des Marques
The Wine & Spirits management specialisation of the MBA program Director in International Hospitality is only accessible in the full-time curriculum. It can be opened in English and French depending on the number of students.