Matthieu Longuere MS visits Napa Valley

The trip was organised to allow Matthieu to connect with alumni from the States and to meet some of the exceptional winemakers of the Napa Valley, California. Matthieu was accompanied on the tour by Katharyn Shaw and Margaret Warren of Le Cordon Bleu USA Hub.

During the tour, the group visited Dunn Vineyards, Smith-Madrone, Trefethen, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Round Pond Estate, Chimney Rock, St. Supéry and Rutherford Estate Vineyard. Matthieu, Margaret and Katharyn received a very warm welcome at all the venues, where they experienced a variety of tastings and tours.

In addition to touring the vineyards and wineries, Matthieu attended a Le Cordon Bleu alumni meet and greet at 18 Reasons, a non-profit community cooking school. The event featured a pairing of wines from St. Supéry with canapés.

The event featured 18 Reasons Chef Instructor Zoe McLaughlin, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris alumna; Charlotte Kryska, London alumna who works for a coffee company and who is starting a chocolate company, Hapa Chocolat; Christine Gallary, Paris alumna and senior recipe editor for thekitchn.com; Hayden Gallary, Paris alumnus, who works in finance and auctions dinners for fundraising events and Zoee Wong, London alumna and Operations and Brand Manager for two Michelin-starred restaurant Birdsong and their more informal venue, Birdbox. They also met with Calvin Tsay, Le Cordon Bleu Paris alumnus near one of his stores, Bi-Rite Market.

Matthieu was delighted to experience the wine culture and community in California, and to strengthen connections with alumni based in the USA.

Find out more about Matthieu Longuere and the Diploma in Wine, Gastronomy and Management, or wine and spirits themed short courses delivered by Le Cordon Bleu London.