Wine, Wheels, and Winning: From Post-Graduation Dream to 30-Year Business

Andy Levine

Bio

In 1996, Andy Levine started DuVine to share what he had realized during a post-college cycling trip in Burgundy, France: in order to really know a place, you have to know its people, its cafés, its villages, and its cuisine—the good things in life.

On that first solo bike tour, Andy learned about wine and met a cast of real, colorful characters who inspired him with their passion. Soon afterward, he started DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. on a shoestring and a dream. The first tours were developed out of family-run Hotel Bellevue in Beaune as Andy went off the beaten track to find people for his guests to meet. Even today, Andy always asks, “why are we going here?” before he gets on his bike and rides all the roads, connecting the dots for a truly immersive cultural experience.

Andy believes that everyone should have the opportunity to travel the world by bike and to focus on the simple pleasures: enjoying food grown right where you eat it on the farm, spending time talking with a grandmother whose memories are a treasure trove, and experiencing the uncommon, authentic moments that make travel meaningful.

Awards

Virtuoso Preferred Tour Operator

Travel + Leisure World’s Best Tour Operator, 2024

7 World’s Best wins since 2017

Intro

In this enlightening discussion, we engage with Andy Levine, the visionary behind DUVINE Adventures, a boutique cycling travel company that has redefined luxury experiences over the past three decades. The salient point of our dialogue revolves around the intricate balance of scaling a business while maintaining an intimate, personalized service that has become the hallmark of DUVINE. Levine elucidates the challenges and triumphs he faced during the establishment of his enterprise, particularly during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic when customer demands threatened to upend his operations. He further shares insights into cultivating a resilient company culture that prioritizes connection and exceptional service, fostering loyalty among both clients and staff. As we traverse the narrative of his entrepreneurial journey, we uncover invaluable lessons applicable to aspiring business leaders seeking to thrive in the competitive landscape of the travel industry.

Conversation

Andy Levine's remarkable journey from a recent college graduate to the founder of Duvine Adventures is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the transformative power of travel. Upon graduating from the University of Denver, Levine immediately moved to France, where he began leading cycling tours through the picturesque Burgundy vineyards. This initial foray into the world of cycling and wine laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving boutique travel company. Over the course of three decades, Duvine Adventures has redefined luxury cycling travel, attracting high-profile clients from across the globe. In this conversation with host Jothy Rosenberg, Levine elaborates on the ethos that drives his company, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable experiences for customers that endure long after the journey concludes.

Levine opens up about the challenges faced during the early years of the business, sharing raw insights into sleepless nights spent scrambling for accommodations after cancellations and the emotional toll of nearly giving up. Yet, it was the unwavering grit instilled in him by his parents that fueled his determination to succeed. He reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic tested the resilience of his company but ultimately reinforced the importance of community and support within the travel industry. Levine's commitment to maintaining a boutique feel while scaling globally has been pivotal, as he highlights the significance of a strong company culture that fosters loyalty and excellence among staff.

As the conversation unfolds, Levine offers invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing that success is not solely about profit but about the genuine connections forged with clients and team members. His philosophy revolves around the belief that one must remain true to their core values, resisting the temptations of unchecked growth. With anecdotes and reflections on personal experiences, Levine provides listeners with a compelling narrative that encapsulates the essence of building a successful service-oriented business in the competitive landscape of travel and tourism.

Takeaways

• In the realm of luxury cycling travel, Andy Levine has effectively transformed his passion into a successful enterprise, Duvine Adventures, which redefines customer experience by focusing on unique local connections.
• The significance of maintaining a strong company culture is paramount; it not only helps in surviving crises, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also fosters a supportive environment for both employees and clients.
• Andy emphasizes that the essence of entrepreneurship lies in serving others; his grit is rooted in a commitment to not disappointing customers and staff, which fuels his resilience through challenges.
• Duvine Adventures has strategically chosen to remain boutique in nature, consciously limiting group sizes to ensure personalized experiences while scaling operations globally without compromising quality.
• The journey of building Duvine Adventures has been one of perseverance, with Andy recounting sleepless nights and moments of near defeat that ultimately led to a robust business model and loyal customer base.
• In the travel industry, collaboration among competitors is crucial; Andy highlights the supportive community within the sector, which fosters mutual success rather than cutthroat competition.

• DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. | Luxury Bike Tours and Cycling Vacations
• Who Says You Can't Startup online program for startup founders
• Jothy's TEDx talk - On why those with disabilities tend to overachieve
• The Who Says I Can't Foundation - Jothy's non-profit that helps disabled kids get back into a sport they love to restore their self-esteem
• Our YouTube channel
• Designing Successful Startups — Jothy Rosenberg | Author | Speaker | Podcaster - Site with all podcasts
• Tech Startup Toolkit book
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