Nominees for the 2027 Sommelier of the Year Award
From the vineyards to the dining rooms, these sommeliers stand out for their close collaboration with local terroirs and producers. Discover the four nominees for the 2027 Sommelier of the Year award.
From bottles from prestigious houses to hidden gems from small producers, sommeliers make the wine cellar a true hallmark of their restaurant. Four of them are in the running for the 2027 Gault&Millau Sommelier of the Year award. “You best represent both France and the international scene,” said Marc Esquerré, director of research, during the press conference
Florian Guilloteau, of Espadon at the Ritz Paris
Florian Guilloteau has led the wine department at the Ritz Paris since 2022 and oversees a cellar of 72,000 bottles. At Espadon (3 toques), he creates wine pairings with chef Eugénie Béziat, prioritizing socially responsible wineries. His wine list, featuring over 2,000 selections, highlights terroirs, organic wines, and independent winemakers. He also supports the younger generation and teaches masterclasses at the École Ritz Escoffier.
Dominique Viala, of Domaine de Clairefontaine in Chonas-l’Amballan
For some thirty years, Dominique Viala has been the heart and soul of the wine cellar at Domaine de Clairefontaine (3 toques) in Chonas-l’Amballan, where he pairs wines with the cuisine of Chef Philippe Girardon, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France. His wine list showcases the great wines of the Rhône region, from Côte-Rôtie to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as well as wines from vineyards around the world. The cellar also houses dozens of bottles of Chartreuse, including vintages that are now virtually impossible to find.
- See the Gault&Millau review of Domaine de Clairefontaine
- View Dominique Viala’s Instagram account
Paz Levinson, from Maison Pic in Valence
Paz Levinson, born in 1978 in Bariloche, Patagonia, was headed for a career in literature before discovering a passion for wine while working as a server in Buenos Aires. Named Argentina’s Best Sommelier in 2010 and 2014, and then Best Sommelier of the Americas in 2015, she placed fourth in the World’s Best Sommelier competition in 2016. Now based in France, she has headed the wine department ofAnne-Sophie Pic’s restaurant group since March 2018, including Maison Pic (4 toques) in Valence. This is the first time such a position has been entrusted to a woman.
- See the Gault&Millau review of Maison Pic
- View Paz Levinson’s Instagram account
Julien Teyssandier, of the Auberge du Vieux Puits in Fontjoncouse
Julien Teyssandier is head sommelier atthe Auberge du Vieux Puits (5 toques) in Fontjoncouse, in the Corbières region, a restaurant that Gilles Goujon, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and his wife Marie-Christine have run since 1992. His wine cellar contains nearly 900 labels, about 80% of which are Languedoc wines, ranging from well-known names to lesser-known gems.
- See the Gault&Millau review ofthe Auberge du Vieux Puits
- View the Instagram account forthe Auberge du Vieux Puits
