The Wine Hustle Series | Fiona Perrin, CEO + Founder of Champagne Rendez-Vous
Imagine a world full of terroir driven champagne, vegan friendly, woman owned and is delivered to your door at an attainable price point. While you start daydreaming on that, dream no more. Fiona Perrin, CEO + Founder of Champagne Rendez-Vous has created a gorgeous Champagne that’s natural, minimal intervention and all around easy to drink all year round! Through her first hand experiences in the culinary world, to moving to New York for a dream job in wine combined with her apparent passion for wine led her to create a Champagne brand coming directly from the heart. Here is her story:
Website: Champagne Rendez-Vous | Instagram: @champagnerendezvous
How did you get your start in wine and what was your initial inspiration?
I believe my passion for wine came through my French culture first. I am originally from Lyon, France one of the world’s gastronomical capital! Thank you Paul Bocuse! Quite young I realized I have a real taste sensitivity, and a special appreciation for gastronomy and culinary experiences. My first Twelve course meal at a high end Relais & Château Restaurant was a real starting point for me. I kicked off my career in the wine world as an intern in a Chateau in the South France, where I would handle wine tastings and wine tours of the vineyards for large international groups. My dream was to come and work in New York. For almost a year I looked for that special opportunity, and one day it came! In 2011 I got hired by one of the most renowned 1st Bordeaux Classified growth to be their Brand Ambassador for North America. This is how everything started for me!
I love how are you are focused on low intervention, all-natural champagne at an accessible price point. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is to communicate and pass on my passion for real wines and love for products made naturally. I just love explaining to people what we do and what’s behind the bottles, tasting and telling stories. I like to inspire, be eye opening, educate and most of all show that we can do things differently
What is the best advice anyone’s ever given you? Do you have a “mantra” you stick to?
“Never take no for an answer” is really something that we told me a lot in the US. It seems to be a winner’s philosophy to never stop going and always keep pushing forward to get what you want. My mantra or motto is always to follow my heart and what I really believe in. Even when I had to change job or company, I always kept moving forward and gaining experience where I could. This brought me to try different things at a pretty young age, and to have a great background and expertise in my field.
At WINEFARER, we love hearing about the unexpected journeys that stem from wine. Can you share your favorite wine journey with us?
One of my most memorable wine journey was at a Soetheby’s wine auction at NYC 2 Michelin’s star restaurant, Marea. I was invited and it was my first live wine auction. The meal was spectacular and I had the chance to taste some of the best and most expensive wines of the world that were brought by collectors. I will never forget the taste of that Krug 89 I had that day, that brought my love for champagne to the next level.
“Don’t be afraid to learn constantly, read, listen, taste, that is the most important part. ”
It seems like you love wine as much as I do, in three words, describe your love affair with wine?
Insatiable, passionate, addictive
Finally, what advice would you give women entrepreneurial spirits who want to start their “wine hustle” but are hesitant to take the leap?
Be confident and trust your instinct. Wine is all about passion, don’t do this if you are not passionate. Don’t be afraid to learn constantly, read, listen, taste, that is the most important part. Wine requires knowledge of course, but the good thing is that it is widely accessible. Also, it is a very personal venture, it is all about your personal feelings, experience and the people you meet. Let’s not forget it is a social beverage and industry and is all about people making it and promoting it!
