ABOUT NZSOMMELIER

Starting his career with the Royal New Zealand Navy as an Officer's Steward, Gary was classically trained by the London City & Guilds Institute 1878 having completed his 707/1/2/3 courses. Gary credits his success to learning classic French cooking techniques, Guerideon and Silver Services'​ and traditional British and European Hotel and Restaurant Operations.

Gary's love of fine wine started after finishing top of his class in his City & Guilds Certified Sommelier's exams in 1995 and after winning Sommelier of the year 5 years in a row his love of everything to do with wine and beverage blossomed. With a self confessed love of old world wine and a healthy respect for certain new world producers Gary has managed some of New Zealand's most prestigious and award winning wine lists. 

Finding that New Zealand's wine industry was moving to a more commercial direction and with a loss of quality service based on traditional and classical training, he started nzsommelier to highlight some of New Zealand's more passionate pioneers and boutique wine makers and developed a staff training program based on his London City & Guild education.

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Now in Canberra Gary hopes to share his success in New Zealand and bring his unique style of service and wine education to Australia.