
Christophe Heynen MW
Became an MW 2020
Based in Belgium
Nationality Belgian
Languages English, French, German
Work email address: info@gustoworld.com
Christophe is based in Belgium with his wife and two children; he was raised and lived in Belgium, the USA and Switzerland. He is founder and managing director of Gustoworld, a leading (fully C02-neutral) fine world wine importer with extensive activity in Belgium and France. He is also owner of several well-known wine import companies in these countries. Christophe is an alumni of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland, from which he graduated in 1998 with a BSc in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HES). After a carrier in the hospitality industry in Canada and the USA, Christophe returned to Europe to start his wine business. Christophe is socially engaged in favor of entrepreneurship as member and former president of several entrepreneur associations. Christophe loves discovering world food and wine cultures. His passion for wine led him to the WSET Diploma, he then joined the MW program in 2015.
Current employer: Gustoworld
Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy
Industry sector(s): Sales, Distribution, Agency/Importer, Buying, International trade, Import/Export
Wine styles: Fine and rare wines, Natural, Orange wines, Sparkling wine, Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Sweet wines, Sherry, VDN, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines
Wine region expertise: Argentina, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, California, Belgium, Douro
Market expertise: Europe
Specialisms: Development of new vine varieties, Acquisition of vineyards, Economics of wine production, Marketing wine, Investment strategies, Financial and commercial structures, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Distribution, HORECA, Direct to consumer, Independent retail, Food and wine pairing, Branding, Customs clearance, Tax, Airlines