MEET GILLES

Maitre d’Wine Gilles Rondel

Gilles Rondel has served as Blue Moon Over Avila’s Maitre d’wine for the past four years. He always greets guests with a smile and eagerly shares his love and knowledge of wine with our guests. We thought you might enjoy learning a little bit about him!

Where did you grow up, Gilles? How did you become interested in wine and become such an expert on it? 

Gilles: I grew up in the City of Lights and spent most of my vacation time in the French countryside or the Alps.

My first experience with wine was as a child, getting to partake in chabrot to finish off my soup!

Then, throughout my travels, I came to enjoy the differences in wines (and cuisines) from different areas in Europe. The soil, climate, geology and sun exposition all play their role in giving wines their specific characters. These differences are more pronounced due to the practice/obligation of dry farming. Relying on Mother Nature to supply the water brings more diversity from one year to the next!

My interest in knowing more about different wines is what led me to the WSET program and a Level II accreditation (from the Ecole du Vin in Paris).

What brought you to the U.S.? How long have you been here? 

Gilles: About seven years ago, I Googled “the happiest place to live” and the results came up with the Central Coast of California! But seriously, even the penguins of Madagascar know that the taxes in France are murder.

What is your favorite wine? Your favorite wine region in France? 

Gilles: It’s too hard to choose a favorite wine because there are so many good ones from different places in the world. For me, it all depends on what will be accompanying it (aperitif, meal, dessert, etc.). This is why I try to propose a wide variety of regions and flavors on Blue Moon’s wine list.

Is there anything else that you think people would be interested to know about you?

Gilles: I’ll keep the rest to myself - for others to possibly discover in conversation, over a glass of wine!