EVENTSthe Grand conseil dU vin de bordeaux,CommanderIES, Wine brotherhoods

The Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux

October 4, 2022

Commanderie de Bordeaux USA Travel Scholar Award 2020 - Programme of Bordeaux Wine Region Visits


The winners of the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA Travel Scholar Programme for 2020 are :

  • Gina MICHELI, Beverage Director & Sommelier - Graduate of 1st Level of the Guild of Sommeliers
  • Francis GUZMAN, Chef & Owner of the Vianda restaurant,  Graduate of Culinary Institute of America

Caroline Delaroche put together a superb Programme for Gina and Francis, to visit some of Bordeaux's finest châteaux, from 3rd to 7th October 2022.

Commanderie de Bordeaux USA Travel Scholar Awards are awarded annually for study and travel in the Bordeaux area to two to four exceptional students of wine. The Commanderie has sponsored in-depth Bordeaux visits over many years for students and young wine professionals–all of whom have indicated that their Bordeaux travel scholar experiences have greatly advanced their wine careers. Award recipients provide a written report to the Commanderie in the two months following their trip detailing their impressions of the experience and how they expect to use their new-found knowledge to support the Commanderie's mission of promoting the appreciation of Bordeaux wines and vignerons.

The various awards are named in honor of four people who have contributed in special ways to the success of the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA: Julius Wile, Gregory Thomas, Andre Crispin, and Peter Sichel. Currently, each winner receives a stipend of US $5000 to cover airfare, hotel and transportation expenses.The award recipients travel together on a single trip arranged by and coordinated with the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux.

Eric Vogt, the current Grand Maître of the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA has observed, “Keen palates for wine are not universally distributed. And yet the wine industry depends upon the palates of a few to guide the experience and appreciation of many. The Commanderie is thrilled to award these scholarships to students who show great promise in their ability to discriminate and describe the wonders of fine wine.”

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Travel Scholar award winners have only just completed their trip to Bordeaux. Caroline Delaroche of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux organized a magnificent program for the 2020 awardees, sommelier Gina Micheli and chef-propriétaire Francis Guzman, who attended training workshops at the Bordeaux Wine School and explored fourteen wineries, including some of the most celebrated châteaux in the world and carefully selected producers that are less well known outside Bordeaux. They tasted with prominent winemakers and technical directors, and were also able to spend time learning about the history and attractions of the city of Bordeaux, the Médoc, Sauternes, the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, and other small towns of the Bordeaux region.

Back to the Events list