When Stephanie Burtin moved to Yorba Linda and eventually learned about the Orange County Wine Society, she knew she found a place where she could meet like-minded people.
Born in Lyon, France, Stephanie was a chemical engineer by trade but she moved to Orange County with the intention of starting her own business — something she had always dreamed of doing. Moving to the U.S. gave her the perfect chance to launch Osprey Boutique Travel, which brought together her two passions: wine and travel.
Tapping into her French roots, Stephanie specifically designs trips for those wanting to explore the various French wine regions. She takes pride in the curated experiences that clients seek, whether it’s visiting centuries-old castles in Loire Valley, enjoying a wellness journey in Provence or discovering hidden wineries in Burgundy. She is able to unlock the gems of each region to a traveler’s liking.
“It’s really geared to what people want,” she said. “It’s very customized and personalized to match a client’s preferences. People come to us because we are not doing business as usual.”
From an early age, Stephanie learned about the value of good food as she and others who grew up with her were immersed in agriculture. Eventually with the assistance of a sommelier, she was introduced to the nuanced world of wine and the importance of pairing food with a specific varietal.
When she decided to start her business four years ago, she said the way to separate her business and to really stand out was providing wine journeys that were truly authentic experiences. In that vein, she often travels to France herself and works with Michelin-star chefs or finds off-the-beaten-path wineries that don’t often open their doors to the public.
Pairing food and wine “is the French way of life,” she said. “It’s social. It’s about community. It’s about understanding how wine from vineyards only five minutes away from each other can taste totally different.”
Just as OCWS seeks to educate those who join the organization, so does Stephanie who says clients come back to the United States with a greater appreciation of the French winemaking ways. Usually, the biggest takeaway is having people understand how vital the terrior – the environmental factors such as climate, soil and location – can influence the wine’s character.
“There are so many regions and you really never taste the same wine,” she said. “For us in France, wine is an agricultural product and there’s a diversity there.”
Stephanie has come to enjoy the array of wines in California. Her favorite is Petite Sirah, a grape that isn’t found in France, and she also enjoys Zinfandels. She said there’s never a bad time to open a bottle of California wine.
As she continues to bridge the path for Americans to visit her native country, Stephanie is grateful she’s able to share her heritage and appreciation of wine with others.
“It’s a product that comes from a fruit and you are able to create something really special,” said Stephanie, who gets the occasional goosebump when asked to describe her love of wine. “Wine is so diverse and has so many possibilities that can be enjoyable.”