Inspiring minds: meet our renowned guest lecturers

Paul Wagner

Renowned expert in wine marketing, wine tourism, and communications. He has been instructor at Napa Valley College's Viticulture and Winery Technology Department for thirty years and is a guest lecturer at numerous universities, including the WINTOUR programme since the very beginning of the programme. Mr. Wagner is the founder of Balzac Communications & Marketing, leading consultancy in the United States and Associated Partner of the programme, where he has significantly contributed to promoting global wine brands. He has authored several influential books on wine marketing and sales, and his work has earned him numerous awards, including the American Wine Society's Award of Merit. Currently, he serves serves as the Senior Advisor for Wine Tourism at Expedia Cruise Ship Centers and is a judge for the Wine Travel Awards.

Marc Jonas

Founder of Conseil Oenotourisme, is a renowned French expert in wine tourism with over 20 years of experience advising wine and tourism professionals on enhancing their potential and developing successful wine tourism projects. As a pioneer in the field, he has collaborated with both institutional and commercial sectors, leveraging his dual expertise in wine and tourism to stay ahead of industry trends.

Rodrigo Ravera

Expert in wine tourism, currently serving as a tour guide and sommelier at La Riojatrek in La Rioja, Spain. Notably, La Riojatrek was awarded the 2024 Best of Wine Tourism People's Choice Award for Services in Enotourism by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. With a background in tourism and a Master's degree in Wine Tourism, Rodrigo brings over a decade of industry experience. He has held various roles, including public relations at a prominent Rioja winery and coordinator of a wine school in Argentina. His passion for wine and travel has taken him across Argentina, Mexico, and Spain, enriching his expertise and perspective on wine tourism world-wide.

Manuel Lima

Professional at the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) and lecturer at several universities in Porto, Portugal. He holds a degree in Agricultural Sciences and a Master's in Agronomic Engineering from the University of Porto. Since joining the IVDP in 2000, Manuel has played a crucial role in the Technical Services and Certification Directorate, focusing on laboratory and sensory analysis. He is the Head of the IVDP Tasting Division since 2015 and has extensive experience in quality control, sensory analysis, and the promotion of Douro and Port wines.

Richard Marchal

Head of the Laboratory of Oenology and Applied Chemistry at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. His research primarily delves into the intricacies of sparkling wine foam, effervescence, and the aromatic profiles of white wines. Prof. Marchal imparts his extensive knowledge through teaching at the French National Diploma of Oenology and the Master's program in Wines and Champagne.

Andrea Curioni

Full Professor of Food Science and Technology at the University of Padova. He also serves as the Director of the Interdepartmental Research Center for Viticulture and Enology (CIRVE) at the same university. Prof. Curioni's research primarily focuses on the biochemistry of agri-food products, with a particular interest in macromolecules involved in food systems, such as seed proteins, food allergens, and wine quality components.

Chloé Cazaux-Grandpierre

French wine expert with a strong background in oenotourism and communication. She founded the wine tasting club "Les Copains d'Abord" and the wine tourism company Otsukimi, which introduced the first Bordeaux and French South-West Japanese Sake School. Chloé began her career at the Bordeaux Wine School and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Her innovative spirit led to the creation of luxury ecological wine tours using a 100% electric Tesla. An active blogger and member of the Union of French Sommeliers (UDSF), she shares her extensive knowledge and passion for wine and sake with a wide audience.

José Luis Braga​​​​​​​

Academic at the Instituto Europeu de Estudos Superiores (IEES) in Portugal and expert tour guide at Made for Spain & Portugal. With a PhD in Tourism Planning and Management from the University of Santiago de Compostela, he specializes in tourism development, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism practices.