The Woman Behind Wine.With.Margaret
Let me tell you a little about "Margaret" or Margot van Lieshout, that is me. I am mom of Liam Quinn and wife to Sander. Together we life in the coastal region of the Netherlands.
I always knew that I am a creative soul full of ideas, writings, strategies and that I can turn that into a reality somehow. So, when in my twenties, why not get my degree in Entrepreneurship from Cambridge University in England and I did. It did not stop there though; I wanted to understand the bigger picture and got my MBA in Small Business and Retail Management.
In the last 20+ years I have worked my way through several smaller and bigger (food) retailers, all from different angles, from Sales Manager, Category Manager to Space Manager to replenishment, to find out how everything works from chain to chain within a retailer, off course it all started with working on the shop floor itself. That is where this all began. When I got infected with the wine virus, I looked for a job on the ‘other side of the table’ and became a Key Account Manager in selling wine to big retailers in the Dutch market. Later, I had dived in the world of (online) Marketing and Brand Management before I decided to finally go at it myself. So, it is safe to say I have built up incredible knowledge and understanding on the Dutch consumer in the world of Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), especially when it comes to wine.
I have a good understanding in what Dutch wine consumers like. What they want to buy, how much money they want to spend. Better yet, I also have first hand experience in what they do not like (yet). So, yes, my specialty is Retail & Wine in the Dutch market. You are a wine geek in FMCG when you also follow all major wine related trends to look for new opportunities, so obviously that is me.
Want to Work Together?
If you are a winery looking for help to gain more knowledge on the Dutch Wine Consuming market than I can help. I can steer you into a certain direction, or I can create a full strategic plan for you. Or if you want me to tell your story as a wine brand through writing and social media (consumer and professional driven), then you can also send an email, wine and/or your story. Are you someone in need of study guidance or if you just want to contact me, ask me anything! Send an email to growtogether@winewithmargaret.com.
I Dove Head First in the World of Wine
About ten years ago I took a leap and dived into the world of wine and took my first ever wine course, together with my husband, right then and there I got the bug. I took al major Dutch wine courses, followed specialty courses on Italian Wine and Food pairings, even went to Italy for 2 weeks of complete submergence in the Italian language and culture to fully understand how wine can be intertwined in your culture. Amazing to say the least.
Few years went by and in 2018 I graduated from the Dutch Wine Academy as a 'Vinologist'. It is the Dutch equivalent of WSET, the level will be somewhere between WSET level 3 and level 4 Diploma, nearer level 3. That very same year I followed WSET level 3 and Passed it with Merit.
Obviously, when you know me, I still had not enough. I enrolled in the Journey of WSET Diploma Course in Wine and Spirits in 2018, when I still had the opportunity to study the course with Spirits being included. Two years of the Corona Pandemic and a pregnancy later, starting my business, being a mom, I am now at the stepping stone of finishing my final D3 theory exam (2024-2025), and my French Wine Scholar (2024). In the meantime, I love to help others on how to study efficiently with their WSET studies or other wine related courses. Currently working on something to share with all of you soon.
The Writer in Me Unleashed
My biggest passion in life I dare say alongside Sales, Marketing and (Studying) Wine is most definitely writing. I kid you not, that I have written dozens of journals throughout my life, I have a computer full of unpublished long and short stories about anything and everything that I never dared to share or never thought of the “how to share.” But that time has passed. Wine.With.Margaret is more than just a website for those who want help navigating their way onto the Dutch world of wine. It is also a place where I can share all my ideas, articles, and findings with you to keep you curious and updated on the world of wine. Alongside wine there will be an extensive background shared on how to amplify your strengths in studying to give you the best tips and tricks out there. I have read dozens of books on efficiency and beating procrastination, creating healthy habits, to help you ace that exam.
Me as a Wine Judge
As of spring 2022 I became a wine judge for Concours Mondial du Bruxelles and for Sauvignon Selection by CMB (formerly Concours Mondial du Sauvignon). Something so amazing to see how an organisation helps consumers to navigate through the world of wine by rating wines and giving them a medal (when earned). It can also be such an incredible asset to have as a winery, when selling your wines onto a (new) market.
Why Wine.With.Margaret?
Simple really! I want to motivate others, draft the stories out there, and share them about wine and the regions 'I've discovered'. I want to show that wine should not be all that complicated so I have started sharing my experiences on Instagram, with the idea one day of having my own website sharing the knowledge about wine.
I have started Wine.With.Margaret since 2013, with a short intermezzo, and a bunch of experience later, I have picked up where I have left off, and since the summer of 2022 I am back at it again. I write about wine, help other WSET Students to get through their studies, especially to help them with their mindset and motivation to complete their studies.
Want to get in touch with me? Send an email to growtogether@winewithmargaret.com.
