Bourgogne Masters Immersion in Beaune

Master the complex and fascinating wines of Bourgogne in the region itself.

May 19 - 24, 2024

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6 days

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Led by Timothy Magnus

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$3,390*

Program Overview

Building upon the Bourgogne Masters program, the most in-depth certification program on Bourgogne wines, this is a bucket-list opportunity to study the program in the region itself. 

Your in-person session will be taking place May 19-24, 2024 in Beaune, the region’s wine capital. This 5-day, intensive classroom, field trip and tasting experience will be presented and taught by Bourgogne wine expert Timothy Magnus. 

An Australian national residing in Switzerland, Timothy has been teaching wine courses for nearly a decade. Timothy spends a week nearly every month in the Bourgogne wine region. He has accumulated a true expertise about what is happening in Bourgogne today and which domaines are the stars of tomorrow. Timothy founded his own company, Magnus Vinum, several years ago with the specific aim to offer outstanding Burgundy wine education. Additionally, he imports a range of small, quality Bourgogne domaines into Switzerland and has been teaching about Bourgogne internationally for over 15 years.

He possesses a deep understanding of the region, its economy, producers and terroirs and is a leading authority on Bourgogne wine.

Join us for 5 days of complete immersion with structured, in-depth lectures covering all aspects of Bourgogne wine production, terroir and producers with extensive tutored tastings of top-quality wines,  including some of the region’s iconic domaines. Before your departure, you will gain access to the Bourgogne Masters certification course materials.

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What's Included

Enjoy an immersive wine experience curated by the esteemed wine expert and educator Timothy Magnus, featuring classroom sessions, field trips, and gourmet delights in the heart of Burgundy.

Registration and all course materials for WSG’s Bourgogne Masters program

Welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in Beaune

Three days of classroom instruction with extensive tutored tasting

One day field-trip in the Côte de Beaune with visit to a domaine, a vineyard walk in Puligny-Montrachet, lunch at a gourmet restaurant, with elegant cuisine and exceptional wine list, and an afternoon visit to a top Beaune négociant

One day field-trip to the Côte de Nuits, including a vineyard tour, domaine visit, and lunch in a local restaurant

Finale dinner in a top Beaune wine restaurant

A fine selection of Bourgogne wines during the included meals

Individually-proctored online exam, to be taken up to one year from date of final payment (exam is not offered during the course week in Reims)

Access to the full Bourgogne Masters program will be granted once full payment has been received (120 days before departure). Students have access to the online classroom and Bourgogne Masters course materials for one year from that date and have one year take the exam. Deduct $300 from total price if previously or currently enrolled in the Bourgogne Masters program.

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Itinerary & Pricing

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About Your Instructor

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Timothy Magnus

Your Wine Instructor

After growing up in Australia and falling in love with wine from an early age, Timothy Magnus spent several years working in the New South Wales wine region Hunter Valley. 

In 2012 Tim completed the WSET Level 4 Diploma through the Wine Academy Austria, becoming an Associate of the Institute of Wines & Spirits. In 2015 upon completion of his research thesis Timothy received the title 'Weinakademiker' as well as winning the inaugural 'Swiss Wine Award' for his research thesis. He is also naturally an Official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador. Since 2011 Timothy has taught wine courses for different companies and schools including Switzerland's largest and most famous. For many years, Timothy has been specialized in the Bourgogne wine region. Because of this, he founded his own company Magnus Vinum with the aim of offering high level Burgundy wine education. He also imports a selection of top Bourgogne domaines. Timothy loves sharing his passion for the Bourogne wine region and with its rich tapestry of terroirs and producers. 

Who is the program for?

Committed students of wine with a strong background in viticulture and winemaking and a good familiarity with Burgundy. Advance studying of the Bourgogne Masters content before the trip is recommended in order to get the maximum benefit from your week in the region.

Limited to 18 participants.
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Location / Venue:

This intensive week of immersion into the wines of Bourgogne takes place in the newly renovated, bright, and spacious tasting rooms of Marchand Tawse located a few moments from the center of Beaune. This characterful 18th century building has been completely updated with modern facilities making it the ideal base of operations for this exciting course.

About the wines tasted:

With his access to many great domaines and extensive private collection, Timothy has selected wines to be tasted that represent a broad cross-section of different terroirs, winemaking philosophies and styles. The wines hail from many rising star domaines, established stars and even some cult domaines!

Producers tasted may include: Domaine Michel Lafarge, Louis Jadot, Bouchard Père et Fils, Domaine Henri Boillot, Domaine Bernard Moreau, Domaine Ramonet, Domaine François Raveneau, Domaine Vincent Dauvissat, Faiveley, Domaine François Bertheau, Domaine Robert Chevillon, Domaine Berthau-Gerbet, Domaine Chandon de Briailles, Domaine Marquis d’Angerville, Domaine de Montille, Domaine Dureuil-Janthial, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and more (list is subject to changes based on availability).

Program Schedule

May 19-24, 2024 in Beaune, the region's wine capital

Date

Morning

Afternoon / Evening

Sun May 19, 2024

Students should arrive in Beaune no later than 6pm

Welcome dinner in Beaune

Mon May 20, 2024

BOURGOGNE FUNDAMENTALS

Unit 1: Terroir & Climate 

Unit 2: Grapes and Viticulture

Unit 3: Vinification

Unit 4: The Beaune Négociants

Free time over lunch break 

GREAT WHITE WINES OF THE CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Unit 5: Meursault

Unit 6: Puligny-Montrachet

Unit 7: Chassagne-Montrachet

FINDING VALUE IN CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Unit 8: Value Villages of Côte de Beaune

Tue May 21, 2024 

FIELD TRIP CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Domaine visit

Puligny-Montrachet vineyard tour

FIELD TRIP CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Lunch at a fine restaurant (included)

Wed May 22, 2024 

Unit 9: Chablis & Grand Auxerrois

STARS OF THE CÔTE  DE NUITS 

Unit 10: Gevrey-Chambertin 

Unit 11: Morey-St-Denis 

Unit 12: Chambolle-Musigny

Free time over lunch break

STARS OF THE CÔTE  DE NUITS 

Unit 13: Vosne Romanée, Flagey-Echezeaux & Vougeot

Unit 14: Nuits-St-Georges & Côte de Nuits-Villages

FINDING VALUE IN CÔTE DE NUITS

Unit 15: Value Villages of the Côte de Nuits

Thu May 23, 2024

FIELD TRIP CÔTE  DE NUITS 

Domaine visit

FIELD TRIP CÔTE  DE NUITS 

Lunch at a local restaurant (included)

Vineyard tour of Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny

Finale dinner in Beaune (with guest speaker)

Fri May 24, 2024

RED WINES FROM THE CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Unit 16: The Hill of Corton

Unit 17: Beaune & Savigny-lès-Beaune

Unit 18: Pommard 

Unit 19: Volnay

FUTURE STARS OF BOURGOGNE

Unit 20: Côte Chalonnaise

Unit 21: Mâconnais

CONTEMPORARY BOURGOGNE

Unit 22: Commercialisation of Bourgogne Wines & the Secondary Market

Unit 23: Cults Domaines of Bourgogne

Students are free to book their departure travel for after 6:30pm or may stay in Beaune if they wish

About the Champagne Masters Program

This intensive week of study in Beaune builds upon the Wine Scholar Guild’s Bourgogne Masters program, an in-depth certification program on Bourgogne wines. This program has been created jointly by the Wine Scholar Guild and lead instructor Don P. Kinnan and is endorsed by Bourgogne Wine Board - BIVB.

Study Outcomes

Master the complex and fascinating Bourgogne region

Understand and see first-hand the trends of the Bourgogne wine trade

Get the inside scoop on who’s who in Bourgogne

Learn about new developments from the top domaines and rising stars

Stay current about the evolutions in viticulture, winemaking, and wine styles

Taste through over 60 carefully chosen wines including top and cult domaines

Meet fellow committed students of wine and lovers of Bourgogne wines

Visit top houses and smaller growers and learn directly from those crafting the wines

Experience first-hand some of the top Grand Cru vineyards and understand what factors lead to the production of these outstanding wines

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You’ll learn so much more than you would on your own! Internationally renowned instructors are with you at all times throughout the week, giving fascinating information, making sure you understand the nuances and subtleties of the region and its wines, and responding to all of your questions. 
  • You will have amazing tastings in the classroom and get access to estates you would not be able to visit on your own.  We have the highest-level contacts in each region. You’ll also get to taste fascinating wines at each estate, and you’ll be welcomed as an honored guest. 
  • Your instructor has worked in the region for many years. This has allowed them to cultivate extensive experience and contacts within the region. You’ll get expert information about the wine business there, and an insider’s take on local culture.
  • The immersive experience makes the most of the limited time you have in the wine region and ensures that you get a thorough overview of the region and its wines. 
  • You get the camaraderie and pleasure of exploring the wine region with other like-minded people who are as passionate about wine as you are. 
  • Your instructor will translate for the group at all times, so you will have no communication issues, as many winemakers have limited English. 
Preparing for the trip

Please ask the instructor if there is enough time at the end of the visit for you to make your purchase without impeding the progress and timing of the trip.  It is rare that estates offer international shipping.    

If you would like to purchase wine, we recommend that you ask your government’s customs office for their rules and regulations if you intend to bring wine back into your country, or have wine shipped to you.  

You always have the option of bringing wine home with you in your checked luggage. A specialized wine suitcase is perfect for this. Depending on your home country, this amount will vary. You may have to pay some amount of duty on your wine when you go through customs. Therefore, it's best to check with your local authorities for further information.  

MEALS

For Masters Program Immersion:  these experiences typically include a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner as well as one or two lunches during your field trip days. These meals will be paired with selected local wines. The rest of the meals are at your expense. WSG and/or the instructor will provide a list of some dining options for you to consult. 

Instructors & Course Assitants

Our trip instructors are among the most renowned and respected wine professionals in the wine business. They are also professional wine educators who are absolutely passionate about the region and its wines.  

You can see a full biography of the instructor for each trip on the corresponding page, so you can know exactly with whom you'll be touring and learning.  Most are native English speakers (American or British), and all other instructors speak English fluently. Our instructors have that special combination of high-level wine expertise, personal warmth, friendliness, and excellent leadership skills. They'll accompany you every day, throughout the trip, and will be able to answer all of your questions about the wines of the region you’ll be visiting (and about wine in general).  

Booking a trip

Yes, we strongly encourage you to purchase a very comprehensive travel insurance package once you have paid your deposit for a Study Trip.  Note that many plans require you to purchase the insurance very soon after your deposit payment (some require it within 14 days).  

There are any number of things that can happen that can cause cancellation or interruption of package travel, and travel insurance can help cover the costs you incur as a result.  You can find travel insurers easily and there are sites where you can compare policies (for example, Insure My Trip).  

Be sure to read policies very carefully before you purchase.  Include your airfare, train fare, and any other expenses you will have in addition to the price of the study trip itself.  We highly recommend getting a “cancel for any reason” policy, which offers the best coverage. Travel experts say “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel,” so don’t skimp on this important coverage!

Have a different question? Feel free to contact us.

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