Who are we ?
The group was founded in 1989 by Philippe Gaillard and François Gilbert.
They started out as collection directors at Presses de la Cité. In 1991, they became publishers of guides and magazines themselves. Today, they run a multimedia group dedicated to wine, established in 22 countries. The Gilbert & Gaillard group is independent and has no shareholders other than its founders. Gilbert & Gaillard is also known for the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge, an international wine competition organised by Wine Tasting and Trading Ltd (Hong Kong) which awards medals to wines from all over the world.
Philippe Gaillard
Born in Touraine into a family of winegrowers, after studying viticulture and oenology, he was the sales director of a major French wine distribution group. He has managed the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.
François Gilbert
With a PhS and higer teaching diploma in geopgraphy, François Gilbert rapidly specialised in studying wine terroirs. He was professor for 15 years before succumbing to his passion for wine full time. He has run the Gilbert & Gaillard group since 1989.
« Gilbert & Gaillard is also known for l’International Challenge Gilbert & Gaillard, an international wine competition organised by Wine Tasting and Trading Ltd (Hong Kong) which awards medals to wines from around the world. »
Gilbert & Gaillard team
Sylvain Patard
After studying literature, Sylvain got his start in wine in 1986 by organizing a wine tasting and buying club at the magazine where he worked at the time. He is now editor-in-chief of the Gilbert & Gaillard magazine and wine guides and chairs the tasting panel.
spatard@gilbertgaillard.com
Etienne Gaillard
After a Master's degree in International Trade in Wines and Spirits, he participated in the creation of a wine trading company, before joining the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2019 as Sales Director.
etienne@gilbertgaillard.com
France
Frédéric Comet
A strong supporter of the Bordeaux region and its wines, Frédéric joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2009. Based in Gironde, he is responsible for the Bordeaux and Charentes regions.
fcomet@gilbertgaillard.com
Nicolas Sanseigne
Nicolas holds a BTS in wine sales and was previously a wine merchant. He joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2009. Based in Montpellier, he is responsible for the Corsica, Languedoc, Rhône Valley and Provence regions.
nsanseigne@gilbertgaillard.com
Lucie Jeandel
Lucie studied Hotel and Restaurant Management and then specialized in the wine industry. In 2003, she obtained a BTS in Beverages, Wine and Wpirits Sales in Alsace and worked for 8 years as a Sales Manager for restaurateurs in her region. She is now in charge of the Alsace, Beaujolais, Burgundy and Champagne regions at Gilbert & Gaillard.
ljeandel@gilbertgaillard.com
Caroline Gilbert
After 10 years in the Middle East, Caroline joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2019, bringing her international and gastronomic experience to the table. She successively held the positions of Commercial Director and then Managing Director of Classic Fine Foods United Arab Emirates, specialising in the import and distribution of gourmet products.
Italy
Sandra Sirvente
With an atypical career path that has taken her to the four corners of the world, and of Calabrian origin, Sandra returned to France and joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2018, as Italy Manager.
ssirvente@gilbertgaillard.com
Spain and Portugal
Thibault Leray
Thibault holds an MBA in Wine Marketing & Management. After several experiences abroad, including 2 years in Barcelona, Thibault joined the Gilbert & Gaillard Group as Sales Manager for Spain and Portugal. He actively contributes to the promotion of Spanish and Portuguese wines on export markets, which have won medals at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge.
tleray@gilbertgaillard.com
South Africa
Petru Venter
With a Master of Science degree, her initial training in international trade led her into the wine world for 7 years before joining the Gilbert & Gaillard team in South Africa in June 2018. She is based in Stellenbosch.
petru@gilbertgaillard.com
Olivier Duroy
After a career as a Financial Analyst, Olivier completed a Master of Science in Wine and Spirit Management in Bordeaux. He is now in charge of the South African market for Gilbert & Gaillard, and is based in Stellenbosch since 2019.
oduroy@gilbertgaillard.com
Central and Eastern Europe
Philippe Ricros
After a Master's degree in Bordeaux on wine management and trade, Philippe spent 3 years in China selling and distributing wines in Shanghai. He joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2021 and is in charge of the Central European market.
Marketing team
Lucie Le Gall
Lucie joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2022. She holds a MBA in Digital Marketing and has held various positions in this field. After having experimented in several fields of activity such as luxury perfumery or cosmetics, Lucie joined the wine world to take on the role of Marketing and Communication Manager.
Administrative team
