Elijence

Founded in 2012 and awarded the prestigious Vignoble & Découvertes label, Elijence has established itself as the benchmark for experiential wine tastings in Burgundy. Rather than being confined to a static location, Elijence is a creator of mobile experiences: its sessions can be held at the client’s premises, in partner châteaux throughout the region, or directly in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards — making it one of the most flexible and distinctive wine-focused offerings in France. At the heart of Elijence's philosophy is the belief that wine should first be experienced with the heart and then with the palate. Founder Agnès Mathiot-Bès de Berc, who grew up as the daughter of a diplomat in Hong Kong, brings a rich multicultural sensitivity to each session: a fascination with the interplay of flavors, the pleasure of mystery, and the universal language of taste. This personal vision translates into sessions that are as much about storytelling and sensory discovery as they are about education in viticulture. The portfolio of activities is structured around three distinct pillars. The first — Elijence & the Soul of Wine — covers classic experimental tastings of great Burgundy vintages, gourmet food and wine pairing sessions, and the Gourmet Tour, an immersive tasting journey through the vineyards themselves. The second pillar — Elijence & the Senses of Wine — adopts a more playful and oenological approach: the Mystery Tasting challenges participants to identify exceptional wines blind, the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Tasting transforms a pre-wedding celebration into a sensory event, and the 5 Senses Rally engages all five senses in a competitive team-oriented format. The third pillar — Elijence & the Flavours of Wine — is dedicated to participants who do not consume alcohol: an aromatic journey through the Burgundy terroirs and flavors designed so non-drinkers can experience a truly remarkable tasting without consuming a single drop of alcohol. For corporate clients, Elijence designs sparkling team-building sessions that depart from the standard cocktail or dinner format. The company can organise tastings in some of the most famous and usually inaccessible Burgundy châteaux — a network built on years of trust-based relationships with local winemakers. Elijence has worked with clients such as Hermès, SNCF, BNP Paribas, Orange, RATP, CNRS, Banque de France, and La Poste, through seminars, year-end celebrations, and international receptions for partners. Each experience is fully tailored: Elijence prides itself on active listening, rapid responsiveness, and the ability to design and execute events even at short notice. Whether it’s for a team of ten needing a one-hour sensory warm-up before a seminar, or for an international delegation requiring an evening among grand crus in a Burgundy estate, Elijence adapts its format, duration, wine selection, and location to the specific needs and constraints of each client.