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Our Sommeliers

We believe having a good host makes a HUGE difference in the success of an event. You can be serving the best wines in the world, but your guests won’t have a great time if the guy serving is a snob or not a people person.

That is why we put the greatest care in the selection of our sommeliers. We want them, of course, to be great wine professionals – knowledgeable and with experiences that can be interesting to our clients. But we also want them to have an outstanding personality – to be fun and outgoing. To top it off, we train them to the O Chateau spirit: professional, informative and FUN.

All of our sommeliers have worked in France’s most reputable wineries, négociants, hotels and restaurants. But they also have other interesting interests and qualifications : from a France champion in mushing to a top MBA graduate, from an almost pro boogie boarder to a wine book author… O Chateau’s sommeliers are not wine geeks. They are actually fun people !!

Olivier Magny

O Chateau’s sommelier extraordinaire! A few years after starting O Chateau, Olivier has already rocked the French world of wine. With his popular Wine RendezVous video blog and the refreshing approach fostered by Ô Chateau, Olivier has been setting a new style in the French World of Wine, based on humour, expertise and conviviality. Olivier is a former sommelier at the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat. He is also a consultant for Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Wall Street Journal recently referred to “Tastemaster Olivier Magny” (which is obviously a bit too much). Olivier speaks French, English, Italian and Spanish. Olivier’s first book will be released in 2010.
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Lionel Medoc

Lionel Médoc

After obtaining a degree in oenology from Toulouse, Lionel took off to go work with the New World wines: Sonoma, Mendoza, and Australia. Even though his last name could pin him as a pure Bordeaux man, Lionel actually the son of a Burgundian mother and he grew up in the Reunion Island, near Mauritius. Before joining Ô Chateau, Lionel worked for a major négociant in Bordeaux. Lionel speaks French, English, Spanish, and Creole.

Vinny Mazzara

Originally from Italy, Vinny has been working as a chef sommelier in Paris at Le Bristol and Les Caves Taillevent. She has an extensive knowledge of all European wines. Her energy, charm, and professionalism make her a guaranteed hit for your tasting. Vinny lives in Paris and speaks French, English, and Italian.

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James Turnbull

James was born England, but he chose to build his life in France, around wine. James has more than 25 years of experience in French wine. He is the author of several wine books and manuals. Even though he had the bad taste of being born in England, he is a delightful host for your wine tasting parties.
Marie-Dominique Bradford

Originally from Burgundy, “Marie-Do” is one of the rare women in the world to be enrolled in the Master of Wine Program. She is an extremely talented wine talent spotter and wine taster. Marie-Do is a mother of two. She is married to an American and speaks perfect English. She might also be the kindest woman in Paris.

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Dominique Laporte

Dominique was elected in 2004 “Meilleur Sommelier de France.” His professional experience took him throughout the greatest hotels and restaurants in France like Le Meurice and Lucas Carton. Dominique’s extensive knowledge, efficiency, and kindness make him a delightful host for your wine tasting.

Sébastien Burel

Though he was born in Canada, Sebastien has lived most of his life in France. He trained to become a winemaker in Burgundy. After spending quite some time in Russia, arranging tastings for rich Russian clients (smart man), Sebastien came back to France where he shares his time between O Chateau, Chablis, where he is a wine consultant for Premier Cru Chateau de Béru, and his project of starting a web-TV based on wine. Sebastien speaks French and English.

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Anselme Blayney

Anselme is one of our binational sommeliers. Born to French and Irish parents, Anselme took a wine turn after studying political science. His experience had him work for a Languedoc winery, both in France and in New-York. Today, Anselme shares his time between Ô Chateau, Willi’s Wine Bar, and his project to open a restaurant. Anselme’s English and wit makes him a host of choice for your tasting.