A unique international consulting programme to support Greek wineries in their export strategies 

For the second year, our School of Wine students are participating in a unique international consulting programme: the Greek Wineries Project.  

In partnership with the main organisation of Greek wine producers, Greek Wine Federation (65% in volume, 80% of national exports), students carry out market analyses and in-depth market studies for Greek wineries which want to develop very concrete export strategies. 

This is an ideal opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in international consulting. The wineries also benefit from the students’ international experience and valuable expertise in developing potential markets worldwide. 

Outstanding experience for students 

“We are very pleased to continue offering a project of this magnitude,” says Jerome Gallo, Director of the the School of Wine & Spirits Business. “Our objective is two-fold: to provide our students with a close-up view of international consulting practice in an immersive educational system; and to be of assistance to the global wine industry by offering producers high-level expertise for their international development.” 

The second edition of this project started last autumn with six different wineries from all over Greece invited to participate. “There are currently about 1,300 producers in Greece,” continues Jérôme Gallo. ” They make high overall quality wine and, above all, whose estates offer exciting development prospects. Greek wine has already attracted the attention of international markets, but the aim is to offer a tailor-made strategy to boutique wineries seeking to develop their exports. Greece is an ideal area to develop our course. We also benefit from our partnership with Theodore Georgopoulos, General Manager of the Greek Wine Federation and a long-standing contributor to the SWSB. 

Global and specific content 

After an initial market potential analysis for the whole of the Greek wine industry, the 24 students of the MBA Wine & Spirits Business started to work on the specific needs of each area. The goal is to provide the participating producers with accurate recommendations to support and make their respective export strategies more effective. 

“During the course of the programme, extensive tastings were conducted with the six producers and more broadly around local grape varieties,” explains Chris McIndoe, the project’s pilot, consultant and wine negociant, who is also a long-time SWSB speaker. “The aim of the students is to make an oral presentation of their conclusions to each estate and to write a full and detailed report including an individualised branding strategy tailored to the winery.” The presentations are scheduled for May in Athens.