Instagram story viewer> @mayorofvanillatown> Posts

Madeline Ames

@mayorofvanillatown

1K

followers

988

following

going places, doing things
MSc Wine Tourism Transitions & Innovations | @wintour_master
📍Europe (someone please hire me)

POSTS STORIES REELS

Introducing Madeline 🌟

Coming to us from Wisconsin, USA 🇺🇸 Madeline joined WINTOUR after a few professional pivots––from marketing, to education, and then to wine retail . . . which naturally led her to want to explore the world of wine even further. WINTOUR presented the perfect opportunity to pursue many of the things she loves: culture, travel, wine. 🍷

After falling in love with Bordeaux in the second semester, Madeline extended her time there by completing her first internship leading cycling tours through the vineyards with @rusticvines. 🚲 She spent the 2025 harvest making wine in Mallorca with @bodegaribas, and returned to Spain for her final internship with the DO of @vinos_de_la_palma, in the Canary Islands. During her time on La Palma, Madeline got a firsthand look at how a Denomination of Origin is managed, and also witnessed this small island's incredible winemaking history and heritage. 🍇

For Madeline, WINTOUR was an incredible opportunity to delve deep into wine culture in several unique locations. Throughout the program she's seen how tourism can be a tool for the preservation and valorisation of wine heritage, and she's eager to explore this further in the future. For now, she's eagerly awaiting sharing another bottle with her WINTOUR 9 colleagues––the people who made this experience truly magical. 🥂

#meetWINTOUR #WINTOURmaster #internationalstudent #erasmusmundus #winetourism by @mayorofvanillatown

thirty, flirty and third-wheeling 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

kidding!!!!!! highly recommend having best friends who come to Tenerife to hike, drink wine, and eat a whole fish with you to celebrate turning the big 3-0!!!!!! by @mayorofvanillatown

how lucky am I to have spent my last year, my last decade, my whole life(!!!) loving and being loved by the most beautiful people in the most beautiful places. ✨

29 was a whirlwind in the best way: bordeaux - wisconsin - california - switzerland - mallorca - porto - japan - la palma… plus more than a few side quests along the way. starting my 30s ready for more joy, more whimsy, more time with my people. and with a heart so full of love for this community that spans the globe ♥️ by @mayorofvanillatown

thanks god for sissy 💖 by @mayorofvanillatown

first impressions of la isla bonita (my newest home) ✨ by @mayorofvanillatown

only “celebrating” valentine’s day as an excuse to post the cutie pics I have of my sweet angel friends & fam!!!!! lucky to love these humans 💖💖💖 by @mayorofvanillatown

xmas 2025 in japan featuring many of my most favorite people, plus: the best sweet potato I’ve ever eaten, the cutest volunteer guide, baby monkeys!!!!!, our own handmade soba noodles, lots of very small shoes, a winery visit (DUH), and an incalculable number of vending machine hot beverages by @mayorofvanillatown

nothing in the world like wisconsin summer 🚤🍒☀️
a july well-spent in one of my happiest places with some of my nearest and dearest!!! by @mayorofvanillatown

put the crocs in sport mode!!!

cycling around Saint-Émilion with the girlies for the portes ouvertes was my literal dream come true by @mayorofvanillatown

one month in españa by @mayorofvanillatown

Today was my first official day of Grade 17 ☺️

Last fall, after a very challenging year, I came to Europe to see my friends, to try to find my spark, to feel like myself again. It was exactly what I needed: a reminder of how joyful life can be.

Just days before my trip came to an end, I met a young woman at a small winery outside of Strasbourg, France. She told me about an amazing master’s program she had completed, encouraging me to look into it. When I arrived back in Wisconsin, I did.

In late June, I awoke to find an email in my inbox: I’d been accepted to the program. I was thrilled, shocked, filled with anticipation and excitement.

Today, I find myself at the beginning of this new chapter in Tarragona, Spain, starting the first semester of a two-year Master in Wine Tourism. I’m so thrilled to be on the @wintour_master journey alongside a group of people who already feel like lifelong friends 💕

People often say “it takes a village,” and I’m living proof. I feel indescribably lucky to have such a supportive community surrounding me to comfort, encourage and love me. To my dear friends at @waterford_wine_gb thank you for teaching me, laughing with me, and showing me so much kindness in the time we spent together.

To the friends and family who have been part of my journey, especially these past few years: thank you for the role you’ve played in helping me get here. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you ❤️ by @mayorofvanillatown

trying to capture every minute with my chiquitita ✨💕 by @mayorofvanillatown