Rhône Trip's Art of Wine Tourism: A Blend of Passion and Precision
Excursions, tastings, sharing—these words symbolize Rhône Trip. At the heart of this vibrant tapestry of flavors and discoveries are passionate individuals who’ve transformed their profession into a philosophy of life. Offering off-the-beaten-path tours is only possible alongside experts who truly appreciate the value of the present moment. For this first profile, Julie reflects on her passion for wine, her journey, and her most cherished experiences over the years. Welcome to the vibrant world of oenology with Rhône Trip.
- Julie, can you tell us about your background and your role at Rhône Trip?
After studying art history and foreign languages, I worked as a tour guide in Lyon and its region. I then served as the Head of Public Services for the Museums of Vienne for three years. It was during that time that my encounter with WINE happened, and my life changed. I created an event called “When Wine Meets Art.” The idea was to pair a museum art piece (sculpture, painting) with a local wine. I worked on this project with local winemakers and discovered the fascinating world of WINE. I wanted to learn more, so I pursued training (WSET3, Professional Taster). In April 2017, my husband Laurent and I created Rhône Trip. We are co-managers and very complementary. I have a thousand ideas a minute and a go-getter personality, while he’s more realistic and has a very strong analytical mind.
- What excites you most about the world of wine? Why did you choose this field in
particular?
I can’t truly explain it, but it’s a field that fascinates me. It’s actually very close to art; one could even say it is art. What truly excites me is what lies behind a wine, behind the diversity of its aromas: the expression of the terroir, the winemaker’s work, the vintage effect. I love making my clients aware of all these factors and telling them the story of our region through wine.
- What’s your personal approach, and how does it reflect in your work?
I’d say my approach is often based on emotions—everything wine makes us feel and express within ourselves. I often tell my clients that tasting wine is a very personal experience; what we feel (literally and figuratively) depends on our life experiences, our culture, our childhood. We all have different olfactory memories. One day, a client of mine, tasting a slightly aged Chardonnay, told me, “This reminds me of my grandmother’s Tarte Tatin!” A memory, an emotion… wine speaks to us, brings us together, and makes us want to share it.
- If you could taste wine anywhere in the world, where would you go?
In the steppes of Mongolia. It’s one of my travel dreams.
- What wine would you be tasting there?
A local wine, of course! A wine from the Gobi Desert…
- Your Most Cherished Memory from Your Work?
I have several… one of the most striking was with a client who was visually impaired. I had never met anyone with such a developed sense of smell and taste. It was impressive! But the most beautiful moment was at the end of the day when I took the group to taste a final wine at the top of Hermitage Hill. The gentleman asked me to describe everything around us and the view of the Rhône Valley. He was so happy and told me he felt like he could see that magnificent landscape. It was very moving.
