Core by Clare Smyth
WLC extract: “A regular wine judge, South African, Gareth Ferreira has won the Ruinart Sommelier challenge and been named South African Sommelier of the Year (2016) and runner up in the UK Sommelier of the Year competition (2017). However, though born in a wine producing country, he “never grew up around wine nor anyone working in wine and hospitality,” he says. “After high school, I took a tourism diploma with the thought it would open doors to travel and ended up working behind the bar in a hotel in Jersey!” Two years with Ritz-Carlton ensued, “mostly in Naples, Florida training in their in-house food and beverage programme.” However, it wasn’t until he took a job in his home country at the boutique Saxon Hotel that his passion for wine was truly ignited – and he was ultimately appointed head sommelier and beverage manager. He later spent over a year as the senior sommelier at seven-star Burj Al Arab, Dubai.
In London, Ferreira worked alongside chef Tim Allen as the sommelier at Launceston Place. “I knew I wanted to work for Ronan Sayburn at some stage and got the opportunity to do so as part of the opening team at 67 Pall Mall.” After two and a half years at the wine club, “and many happy memories,” Ferreira knew it was time to run his own wine programme, “and an opening by Clare Smyth was something I didn’t want to miss out on…”
WLC ranking: 28
Address: 92 Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN
