Teambuilding & Terroir Discovery for Air Liquide | June 2015
THE MISSION
We were tasked with creating a specialized program for Air Liquide Dijon to engage 20 participants in an active discovery of the region . The brief required a blend of culture, entertainment, and physical activity . The objective was to move the team out of the office and into the heart of the Côte de Beaune for a walking rally that combined wine education with collaborative team challenges .
The Goal: To demystify the complex concept of « Terroir » while fostering team cohesion through a series of sensory and intellectual challenges set between the iconic villages of Pommard and Meursault .
THE GUESTS
20 Team Members from Air Liquide Dijon
The group consisted of 20 professionals . The program was designed to be accessible yet engaging, allowing colleagues to interact in a relaxed, open-air environment while competing in small teams .
LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS
Managing a walking rally requires subtle but critical operational support to ensuring the comfort and safety of the group over an extended distance.
- Expert Staffing: We deployed a professional guide-lecturer alongside our own operational team to supervise the group, ensuring both educational depth and logistical fluidity .
- Workshop Coordination: We managed the setup of mobile « checkpoints » in the vineyards and villages, coordinating the arrival of specialized artisans (cooper, geologist, sommelier) to meet the group at precise intervals .
- Safety & Support: While the event was pedestrian-based, we maintained a support structure to handle any fatigue or needs, ensuring the « balade » remained a pleasure rather than a trek .
- Catering Management: We organized a seamless transition from the active hiking portion to the evening festivities, coordinating a « dinner cocktail » (apéritif dînatoire) at a local wine estate to serve as the finish line and awards venue .
THE STRATEGY
The « Pedestrian Rally » Concept
Rather than a passive bus tour, we designed a walking itinerary that connected three legendary wine villages: Pommard, Volnay, and Meursault .
- The Format: A team-based competition where groups had to navigate the route, answer quizzes about AOCs and local villages, and complete creative challenges—including composing a song while walking .
- The Narrative: The journey began with a general presentation of Burgundian viticulture to set the stage, followed by specific « checkpoints » where professionals led in-depth workshops .
THE EXPERIENCE
The Workshops: A Tri-Sensory Approach
To provide deep educational value, we integrated three distinct professional workshops into the hiking route:
- The Geology Workshop (Intellectual): Led by a « master of geology, » this session initiated guests into the secrets of the Burgundian soil . Participants learned the modern definition of terroir—the alchemy between geographic situation, climate, and grape variety—and how soil texture influences the wine .
- The « Nose of Wine » (Olfactory): A sensory game designed to train the olfactory memory . Guests learned to identify the 10 families of scents (floral, fruity, spicy, etc.) and competed to recognize specific aromas found in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes .
- The Cooperage Workshop (Manual): A hands-on meeting with a professional cooper . Participants discovered the ancient union of wood, fire, and water, and were challenged to physically assemble their own barrel « skirt » .
The Finale: Celebration in the Vines
The afternoon concluded with a return to Pommard via the lower vineyards .
- The Reward: The group gathered at a wine estate for a celebratory « apéritif dînatoire » (dinner cocktail) featuring local wines .
- The Ceremony: Results from the quizzes and challenges were tallied, and the winning team was presented with a prize .
THE IMPACT
By combining physical activity with high-level educational content, the event achieved multiple objectives:
- Team Cohesion: Creative challenges, such as songwriting and barrel assembly, forced participants to collaborate in new ways .
- Cultural Deep Dive: Guests moved beyond tasting to understanding the science of the soil and the craft of the barrel, gaining a holistic view of the region .
- Active Engagement: The walking format kept energy levels high and allowed for an intimate connection with the landscape that vehicle-based tours cannot provide .
