Winemaking Intern Arrives from France

Laurel Springs - Hughes "Hugo" Baggio, a student attending ESA-Purpan (Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture) in Toulouse, France is participating in a summer winemaking internship program in this mountaintop community in North Carolina.

Originally from Brest, France, Hugo is spending his summer learning the trade of winemaking from Tom Burgiss, the owner of grapestompers.com and Thistle Meadow Winery. Hugo is the second of three children, and his father has served in the French Navy. During the previous two summers, Hugo has interned on a sheep farm and a cattle farm.

"But now," he says, "I get to do what I really want to do - make wine!"

When Hugo graduates from the five-year accelerated agricultural course in Purpan, he will have his master's degreee. During the next three school years, Hugo will be able to concentrate his studies on enology, viticulture, and marketing - all with an eye to working at a winery full-time upon his graduation.

Hugo will be returning to France in October, following his participation in two big wine festivals.

"We'll be sorry to see him go," said Burgiss. "He's a hard worker and is eager to learn."

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