California 2025 - Margaux’s unforgettable adventure

Travel. Always a bit exciting. Sunday, June 6th. It’s 6 a.m., and here I am, ready to depart from Zaventem; a short night’s sleep and still partly processing hours of service. At this very moment, it all still feels a bit unreal.

That feeling of unreality quickly turns into reality once the group is complete. Pinch-me life moment (spoiler: one of many 😉). I start to smile; what an honor to stand among these passionate, driven, and motivated people.

California Wines has prepared an incredibly educational program for the week ahead, covering every aspect of wine—from A to Z, from grape to bottle. We’re immersed in the history, evolution, and future of the region.

We learn about the huge impact Robert Mondavi had on the wine revolution, while also attending masterclasses on different grape varieties, regions, and styles.

Calling it “interesting and educational” really undersells it. “In-depth” might be a better description, which becomes clear when on day three one of the winemakers asks what we’ve done so far—and silence falls because the experience has been so intensely informative.

To explain that last part a bit better: do you know that feeling when you’ve worked deeply and intensely for a period of time? And then, out of nowhere, you get a ‘lightbulb’ moment when someone asks how it went—and most answer “really well,” but afterward your mind kicks in like, wow, I had the honor to do and experience all of that, I was there.

And that moment when you look back at the photos and spontaneously start smiling—that’s a moment of immense gratitude, because all those pictures (aka little moments of happiness) become memories with great meaning.

Travel. “Just like wine gets better with age, travel helps you grow—every place you visit and every person you meet shapes who you are.”

A special and very important thank you to: @californiawineseurope & @california.wines. Words are not enough for this life-changing wine experience. Even more special thanks to @marcotiggelman @cecidlm27 and @Diane.

@gildesommeliersbe & @winewisebenelux thank you for letting us relive the magic of November 17th in this way, and for inspiring and fascinating us even more with the process of learning and our shared passion.

What a privilege to been part of this passionate group of sommeliers from all over the world, where friendships are built and memories are created.

Without a doubt; one to remember!