Past events

Nicole runs Chêne Bleu, a multi-award-winning winery, as well as the eco-luxury retreat La Verrière in Provence, France. A former investment banker and program director in one of David Rockefeller’s geopolitical think tanks, Nicole had to connect with her inner entrepreneur when she co-founded a sustainably-minded haute-couture wine label, now distributed in 18 countries and hailed by critics. The restored ancient estate operates as a leading wine education venue and retreat for holidays and thinktanks.

Granddaughter of a Boston Suffragette and heir to a legacy of professional women, she supports the ‘Profit&Purpose’ economy, mentoring young women to achieve their goals and participate in the betterment of society. Living in London and Provence, Nicole is acting chair of the UK chapter of global women’s network Feminin Pluriel, delegate of Lead(Her)ship and the Global Female leader Summit in Berlin, judge and presenter at the Women of the Future Awards, and advisory member of the St James’ Roundtable at Chatham House.
 

We will discuss Provence and rose wines ahead of the holiday season

Tour of Northern Italy Wines and talk about entrepreneurship.

Possibly the only Brazilian not interested in football but in wines, Simone Sylvestre has been working in the UK for 12 years, quickly progressing through the ranks from General Assistant to Sous Chef to Catering Manager and finally, Sommelier.

Simone previously worked at Vini Italiani as Sales Executive, left in August 2014 to establish a restaurant business in Brazil and now is back as business Development Manager. Simone has a FISAR international sommelier qualication and she is also currently completing her studies for the WSET Diploma.

We have selected wines from Northern Italy, one of the most famous regions.

After graduating from an engineering school in 2006, Caroline worked for two years as a consultant in Quality and Reliability Engineering, for companies like EADS and Thales. In 2008, she resigned from her engineering role, to start her studies in Wine & Spirits management, at KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux and never looked back. During her studies, Caroline also worked for wine brokers (courtiers) to learn and understand the unique distribution system of Grands Crus of Bordeaux.

In 2012, she joined her in-laws at Château Fleur Cardinale, and graduated the following year, with a qualification in Wine Tasting at the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences of Bordeaux. Caroline will speak to us about how she made the transition from engineering to running a Bordeaux Chateau.

We will also explore the Bordeaux wine region and the differences between the different terroirs there.

Sandrine Dixson-Declѐve has 28 years of European and international policy and strategic experience with a focus on EU/international climate change. She has run EU platforms bringing together global leaders/Ministers, CEO’s, policy makers, and NGO’s to foster change, including being part of the Paris C02 agreement.  She is also passionate about supporting women and will talk to us about how women can help climate change.

Wines
To complement this topic, we will explain how climate change has been affecting wine making and will showcase some biodynamic wines.  We will also offer some tips on choosing wine.

Climate change & biodynamic wines on March 20^th