I didn't start Luxe Maha because I wanted to teach Champagne.

I started it because I was fascinated by what happened around it.

The stories people shared.

The conversations that lasted longer than expected.

The way strangers became comfortable with each other.

The bottle was never the interesting part.

The people were.

WHAT STRUCK ME

I grew up in South Africa.

Years later, I found myself in Champagne, listening to the stories of the women and families behind some of the world's most recognised houses.

What struck me wasn't luxury.

It was resilience.

The stories behind the labels.

Today, those stories sit alongside everything I've learnt about welcoming people.