Gisèle MARGUIN

Beginning her culinary journey as a Chef Sommelier in a Michelin-starred restaurant, which she ran alongside her husband, Jean-Paul, a Maitre Cuisinier de France, she not only honed her culinary skills but also nurtured a burgeoning passion for wine. This growing interest led her to pursue further studies in oenology, first at Beaune and then at Suze-la-Rousse Wine University.

Between 1988 and 1993, she chaired the hotel and restaurant teacher association and actively participated in various national Sommellerie competitions. Her journey in the world of wine took a significant turn between 1996 and 2004, when she served as the Vice-Chairman of the Lyon and Alpes-Marseilles-Provence regional Sommelier Association, eventually becoming its Chairman in 2004. Her expertise and dedication to the field were further recognized when she served as a board member of the National French Sommeliers Association (UDSF) from 2007 to 2010, overseeing relations with regional associations.

Since 2013, she has been the UDSF Vice-Chairman in charge of Public Relations, playing a pivotal role in the International Sommeliers Association and serving as an Ambassador for Provence wines. Her distinguished career has been marked by several accolades, including the Insignia of French Courtesy in 1985 and being named a Maitre Sommelier by the Union de la Sommellerie Française in 1992. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys a fulfilling personal life, married to Jean-Paul, with whom she shares two children and three grandchildren.