Description

In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov sits down with Jean-Philippe Fabre, a serial entrepreneur whose journey spans finance, risk management, and his lifelong dream, crafting premium Grand Cru Champagne. Jean-Philippe shares how growing up in Reims, the heart of the Champagne region, gradually inspired his mission to make elite Champagne more accessible and better understood worldwide.

The conversation dives into the real-world logistics of running a wine business: Brexit complications, customs regulations, and the critical role of scalable logistics in reaching international markets. Jean-Philippe also discusses his transition from the UK to the Netherlands, his use of Shopify, and the potential of automation in wine distribution. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating physical distribution in regulated industries.

Guest Bio

Jean-Philippe Fabre is a Franco-British entrepreneur and founder of Yvonne Bellom, a premium Champagne brand dedicated to crafting and distributing Grand Cru Champagne internationally. With a professional background in finance and risk management, he combines technical precision with artisanal passion. Jean-Philippe champions wine education and experiential tastings as a way to bridge the gap between high-end craftsmanship and global consumers.

Key Takeaways

• Jean-Philippe’s inspiration for launching a Champagne brand came from his hometown in Reims and international exposure that revealed global interest in premium Champagne.
• Yvonne Bellom operates as a Récoltant Manipulant, managing the entire supply chain from vineyard to bottling.
• Brexit severely impacted his ability to export to the UK due to customs and excise complications.
• Champagne is a regulated excise good, similar to medicine and tobacco, requiring specialized handling and documentation.
• Logistics plays a crucial enabling role in scaling solo-run operations.
• The UK market still holds strong demand, but re-entry requires a distributor with logistical and customs capabilities.
• B2C platforms like Shopify can help automate order fulfillment but require backend integration with bonded warehouses and excise compliance.
• In the Netherlands, corporate tastings have become an effective channel for both marketing and direct sales.
• Small-volume shipments are especially difficult due to carrier restrictions on glass and alcohol.
• Automated logistics platforms and fewer intermediaries are key to future growth and scalability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jean-Philippe Fabre

01:00 From finance to Champagne: An unlikely journey

03:00 Creating the Yvonne Bellom brand

04:00 Owning the full Champagne supply chain

06:00 The logistics challenges of premium alcohol

07:30 Brexit and its impact on small alcohol exporters

08:30 Regulatory hurdles: Excise goods and glass packaging

10:00 Temperature and light sensitivity in Champagne logistics

11:00 Pivoting to the Netherlands market

12:30 Educating consumers through corporate tastings

13:30 Logistics as a growth enabler

15:00 Automating order fulfillment with Shopify

17:00 Ideal distribution partnerships

19:00 Re-entering the UK market post-Brexit

22:00 The Catch-22 of regulatory certification

25:00 Alternative routes to market: Shopify and Amazon

27:00 The long administrative tail of UK alcohol logistics

30:00 Final reflections and invitation to try Yvonne Bellom Champagne

LinkedIn Profiles

Follow Jean-Philippe Fabre

Follow Michael Ostroumov

Website Link: Yvonne Belhomme Champagne - Grand Cru