Scholar Inspired by Visit to Chateau Routas

When a scholar has a real fascination for something, HIT Scotland loves to be able to help! At the end of last year, scholar Marcell got to spend 4 days at Chateau Routas learning about wine for one of our Inspirational Scholarships.

Marcell impressed us with his scholarship application and interview, showing a real passion for wine and a drive for more knowledge to help him in his craft. Originally from Hungary, Marcell had been working as part of the Howies restaurant team for 5 years. A family-owned restaurant group with 3 venues around Edinburgh, Howies specialise in local and sustainable ingredients, inspired by the brilliant Scottish cuisine. Marcell had started there as a front of house team member, but after a while it was clear that the bar and the world of whisky and wine was where he truly excelled. He was studying for his WSET level 3 at the time, and as Bar Supervisor was responsible for the drinks training of the team.

He said: “I want to learn about winemaking! About the craftmanship and the centuries-old practices, the challenges and risks of running a vineyard or a wine distribution business. How is all that knowledge, pride and legacy represented in a bottle? A goal of mine is to become a professional Sommelier and be able to answer these questions and more. To be able to pass the information to my team and to be able to put it into practice and create some unforgettable guest experiences. I am hoping to get a better understanding about this mysterious topic and to help with my further studies and professional future. I am sure this scholarship would open life changing doors and opportunities for me and our business.”

Our friends at Wine Importers were delighted to arrange for him to visit Chateau Routas in the south east of France to see their vineyards and winery and spend some time with the team. At that time of year, he would get a feel of the winemaking as they completed the rosé and the start of pruning in the vines. This was perfect for Marcell, as the Chateau Routas Viognier had been one of the core elements of their wine list for years!

He spent 4 days on site, staying on the estate and said: “This was a phenomenal experience, the entire trip, it’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole experience was spectacular! I really enjoyed meeting with incredible people who are truly passionate about winemaking, learning about blending, maturation, viticulture and the logistics behind it! Incredible how such a small team (less than 10 people) can look after 44 hectares of plantations and hundreds of thousands of bottles that we get to enjoy at any occasion.”

We asked what he had learned, and how he would be able to use this new knowledge. He said: “I gained a much deeper understanding of winemaking and of what makes each brand and bottle unique. I can now share those nuances - the small details, the winemaking decisions, and the stories behind them - with both colleagues and customers. I’ve learned to truly appreciate and celebrate these decisions, and to highlight how, even when a wine comes from the other side of the world, each bottle reflects the individuality and passion of its maker.

“Seeing large scale production up close opened my eyes to the incredible precision and expertise required to create each bottle. When we talk about hectares or viticulture, barrels and bottles, logistics and transportation, costs and menu placements, it’s easy to reduce everything to numbers. In reality, it’s countless small decisions made by a handful of people that shape the entire process. This experience taught me to celebrate the individuals behind the label. It was mind-blowing to witness the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into producing wines we can enjoy on any occasion.”

“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I will never forget the experience.”

Keith Murray, Owner at Chateau Routas said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have Marcell join us on the estate. He was a real credit to Scottish hospitality, asking lots of questions and getting involved in the vineyard, learning as much from the team as he could. It was really pleasing for us to be able to help someone with a real interest in wine improve their knowledge, to share our expertise and passion about wine, I’m sure he will continue to grow and be a great asset to his business.”

HIT Scotland scholarships are meant to inspire and motivate those working in Scottish hospitality, so we’re delighted that this one got top marks from our scholar! Huge thanks to Keith and the team at Chateau Routas for allowing Marcell to visit, and for taking the time to share their wine wisdom with him. Cheers!