Interview with Mélanie, KEDGE graduate and owner of Château L'Escarderie

1️⃣ To begin, tell us about your educational background. What did you study, both before and at KEDGE?

As I come from a Franco-German family, I am internationally-minded.  I grew up in both countries and got my high school diploma in Arcachon, France. Among the many options available to me, I thought KEDGE's EBP (European Business Programme) was perfectly adapted to my international and completely bicultural profile. After four years studying in both France and Germany, punctuated by two long-term internships in two completely different fields (a family vineyard in Saint-Emilion and the Beiersdorf Group), I received the double diploma awarded by KEDGE (EBP-EMA) and the 

KEDGE BUSINESS SCHOOL

2️⃣ Tell us what you did after your studies were finished. What positions have you held? What did you learn in those positions?

I started my career as a Marketing Manager at Vitagermine, which is based in the Bordeaux region. Vitagermine  is a range of AB-certified baby food. I was mainly in charge of communications including and launching the company's first website, as well as all product marketing aspects. In 2000, I then changed fields to high-tech at COM One, which was one of the crown jewels of Bordeaux’s "Silicon Valley ". It was a market-leader on modems in portable PCs, which were then taking off considerably. As a product manager, I entered the world of digital, and I saw the arrival of ADSL and the wireless technologies we know today. I then went to COM One's Video Security division, which was sold to ATRAL, a French company based in Grenoble and the leading manufacturer of wireless intrusion detection systems. Through these experiences in this new field, I discovered the security market. ATRAL then merged with Hager, a European group, and my knowledge in the electrical components market was expanded. It was 2007 and I wanted to pursue my dream of creating an equestrian tourist centre. I started off in 2008 with year-round boarding for visiting horses. After several years of managing and running this business, which is now well established in the region, I was able to start a new venture in 2015 by taking over of a family AOC vineyard, Château l'Escarderie in Fronsac, and opening of a bed and breakfast, La Grange d'Oustaud.

CHÂTEAU L'ESCARDERIE

3️⃣ What are you doing/what is your situation today? What gave you the idea and why do you want to do what you’re doing today?

Five years later, our track record is that of a great wealth of experience through both the guest rooms at La Grange d'Oustaud and the trendy vineyard Château l'Escarderie (certified organic in 2018). The vineyard produces a wine which has a modern flavour, is traditionally manufactured, is innovatively farmed, and uses terracotta amphoras. Our goal is to increase the wine industry side of our income and using new cultural practices (Powered by animals in particular).

4️⃣ What are your development goals for the future?

Our goals are to:

• Create commercial partnerships for Château l'Escarderie in order to open new markets in promising regions and countries (the Paris region, exports to Northern European, and other activities); and
• Raise funds for repairing the entranceways and plastering the cellar building in accordance with traditional materials and methods. The architecture of this two-hundred-year-old building is completely original and has been optimally designed for the winemaking process.

5️⃣ If you were to give advice to any KEDGE graduate who wants to do something similar, what would it be?

The global aspect of the  EBP programme facilitates connections with export clients and the organisation of presentations and trade forums abroad. Obviously, training in general management is useful for the creation of companies or administrative organisations. Be passionate and daring, and believe in yourself!

6️⃣ Anything you’d like to add? A message to pass on?

Currently, we have a crowdfunding campaign (which ends in early July 2020). You can contribute to the restoration of an old wine-growing building, and we will be delighted to send you wine in exchange! 

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