Teambuilding & Heritage Discovery for Compagnie Privée | June 2015
THE MISSION
We were commissioned to design a bespoke day of immersion for « Compagnie Privée, » a corporate group seeking to strengthen team bonds through a shared discovery of French heritage . The objective was to move beyond a standard wine tour by creating an interactive, multi-sensory experience that engaged participants intellectually and physically .
The Goal: To transport 45 participants back in time, combining the nostalgia of vintage motoring with the sophistication of Burgundy’s Grand Cru culture .
THE GUESTS
45 Corporate Professionals
The group consisted of 45 employees . They required an activity that fostered communication and camaraderie without being overly physically demanding, suitable for a professional corporate demographic .
LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS
Running a rally with vintage vehicles requires rigorous operational planning to ensure safety and seamless flow.
- Fleet Management: We deployed and managed a fleet of 12 vintage Citroën 2CVs, handling all logistics including vehicle delivery to the starting point in Marsannay-la-Côte and retrieval from the finish line in Nuits-Saint-Georges .
- Technical Safety Net: To mitigate the mechanical quirks of vintage cars, the convoy was flanked by a lead vehicle (« véhicule de tête ») for navigation and a chase vehicle (« véhicule de queue ») to ensure no one was left behind . A dedicated mechanic accompanied the group throughout the entire journey to handle immediate repairs .
- Route Engineering: Our team scouted and created a custom itinerary (« repérage »), producing detailed roadbooks for each team to ensure autonomous yet secure navigation through the vineyards .
- Expert Supervision: We provided two professional guides specializing in Burgundy wines to lead the educational components, ensuring the content was as high-quality as the logistics .
THE STRATEGY
The « Retro-Chic » Adventure
Instead of using a standard bus for transfers, we turned the transport into the main event. We deployed a fleet of 12 vintage Citroën 2CVs, allowing the group to self-drive through the vineyards .
- The Format: A « Rally » style competition where teams of four navigated the route, answered questions about the region’s history, and completed checkpoints .
- The Route: A scenic journey starting from Marsannay-la-Côte and ending near Nuits-Saint-Georges, traversing the legendary « Route des Grands Crus » .
THE EXPERIENCE
The Journey: Vintage Mobility
The adventure began with a technical briefing and the handover of the keys to the « Deudeuches » (2CVs)
- Convoy & Autonomy: Participants drove in a supervised convoy but had the autonomy to navigate using a roadbook, answering questions about the landscape as they drove .
- Discovery: The route was designed to pass through iconic villages and world-famous vineyard plots like Romanée-Conti .
The Workshops: Sensory & Artisan Stops
To break up the driving and deepen the educational value, we integrated hands-on workshops directly into the itinerary:
- The Cooperage Workshop (Artisanat): A meeting with a professional cooper where teams learned the art of barrel making. Participants had to physically assemble a barrel « skirt »—a task requiring coordination and teamwork .
- The « Nose of Wine » (Olfactory Challenge): An initiation into oenology where guests had to identify specific aromas (fruity, floral, spicy) associated with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes . This was followed by a blind tasting to test their new skills .
Culture: The Historic Heart
The rally included a strategic stop at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, a historic monument founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century .
- Heritage: Teams explored the ancient cellars and the massive oak wine presses, connecting the modern wine industry to its medieval roots .
THE IMPACT
The event concluded with a festive awards ceremony during dinner, where the winning team was recognized based on their rally points and quiz answers .
- Team Cohesion: By grouping participants into cars of four, we forced small-group collaboration and communication in a fun, low-stakes environment .
- Sensory Education: Guests left with a tangible understanding of wine structure (through the olfactory workshop) and production (through the cooperage workshop) .
- Lasting Memories: The visual impact of a colorful convoy of 2CVs rolling through the Burgundian hills provided a unique, shared « postcard » moment for the company .
Summary: We successfully balanced playful nostalgia with serious cultural appreciation, proving that corporate education can be delivered effectively through the window of a vintage convertible.
