Gilles de Chambure

Born in Paris to a fine wine family and breeders of thoroughbred horses, Haras d’Etreham, in Normandy, Gilles de Chambure was exposed to wine at an early age by his family who owned Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays in Burgundy, and his uncle who sat on the board of a first growth in Bordeaux.

Graduating from Stowe School in Buckingham, England, Gilles attended Vanderbilt University and traveled to Guatemala on an archeological mission to preserve Mayan ruins. There, he became interested in the coffee business and coffee trading, which led to Wall Street to work with Lazard Freres and Morgan Stanley.

Leaving Wall Street behind, Gilles traveled to Uruguay to visit his sister, a partner in a restaurant with chef Francis Mallmann where he created the restaurant’s wine list and his career in wine began. Following a period as a negociant, Gilles played a role in the development of Argentina’s first appellation, Luján de Cuyo, and became an ambassador for the Argentinian wine industry.

During this time, Gilles caught the attention of Robert Mondavi who convinced him to move to Napa Valley and help promote the company Robert would soon take public in 1993. At Mondavi, he became the world’s 100th Master Sommelier and was inducted into the order of Hospitalier de Pomerol by consulting winemaker Michel Rolland. Gilles went on to work with Bill Harlan at Meadowood and The Napa Valley Reserve as Director of Wine Education and then opened a private consulting practice serving select wine appellations and wineries throughout the world. He joined Mr. Bulgheroni as President of Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate and Ambassador for Mr. Bulgheroni’s global brands, including Garzón in Uruguay, Vistalba (which is owned in partnership with Carlos Pulenta) in Mendoza, Dievole in Chianti Classico, and Podere Brizio in Brunello di Montalcino. After successfully launching Mr. Bulgheroni’s namesake winery in Napa valley Gilles is now Consulting around the world on various aspects of the Wine industry.