MBA graduate in International Hotel Management (specialization International Wine & Spirits Management) Hugo Lucas works as a wine broker at Levêque et Associés, a company created in 1998.
I was always a wine lover and particularly a Bordeaux Grand Cru enthusiast. I left my hometown Britany in 2012 to follow the International Hotel Management MBA at Vatel Bordeaux and I chose the Wine & Spirits major in the last year. This area of expertise made me realize I chose the right career path, especially when studying under the guidance of Vatel Bordeaux teachers. I managed to carry out my end-of-year internship in wine valuation at Crus et Domaines de France where I worked with wine merchants and wine brokers. At the end of my internship, I started looking for a job as a wine broker.
The people I encountered during my internship, the proximity we had with the Châteaux and the diverse tasks a wine broker get to handle. We benefit from many privileges, for instance tasting exquisite wines within the domain itself and with people you would never meet in other circumstances.
The wine broker is the middle man between the Château that produces wine and the negociant who purchases it and distributes it in France or abroad. We provide advice to both parties:
The broker is commissioned 2% on the amount of each transaction, paid by the buyer.
I think the most essential skills are having interpersonal skills, being a wine lover, and having a good memory.
I recently became a partner so I see myself in the same business but handling more tasks and responsibilities. I think one can always achieve better, my vision is to always aim higher. I hope that in 5 years for the Vintage year 2024, our business would have flourished and we would be dealing with fine vintage wines. As Mr. Magrez from Château Pape Clément once said: 'One should never give up!'
Find out more about our MBA in International Hotel Management and its specialization in International Wine & Spirits Management.