A graduate of the MSc Wine Management program at Burgundy School of Business and holder of the WSET Level 3, Marianne Baills has worked in Asia, the alcohol industry, and the Parisian HoReCa sector. She joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2024 and is responsible for Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne, Beaujolais, and Jura.
Who are we ?
Our multimedia group is dedicated to the promotion and prescription of quality wines, representative of a terroir and the know-how of passionate men and women.
The group was founded in 1989 by Philippe Gaillard and François Gilbert.
They started out as collection directors at Presses de la Cité. In 1991, they became publishers of guides and magazines themselves. Today, they run a multimedia group dedicated to wine, established in 22 countries. The Gilbert & Gaillard group is independent and has no shareholders other than its founders. Gilbert & Gaillard is also known for the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge, an international wine rating system organised by Wine Tasting and Trading Ltd (Hong Kong) which awards medals to wines from all over the world.
Philippe Gaillard
Originally from Touraine and born into a family of winegrowers, Philippe Gaillard studied viticulture and oenology before becoming Sales Director of a major French wine distribution group. He has co-directed the Gilbert & Gaillard Group since 1989.
François Gilbert
A certified professor and PhD in geography, François Gilbert specialized early on in the study of wine terroirs. After a 15-year academic career, he dedicated himself fully to his passion for wine. He has co-directed the Gilbert & Gaillard Group since 1989.
« Gilbert & Gaillard is also known for the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge, an international wine rating system organised by Wine Tasting and Trading Ltd (Hong Kong) which awards medals to wines from around the world. »
Gilbert & Gaillard team
Sylvain Patard
With a background in literature, Sylvain Patard discovered wine in 1986 while running a wine tasting and purchasing club within the magazine where he worked. He joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 1994 and now serves as Editor-in-Chief.
Etienne Gaillard
Holding a specialized Master’s degree in International Wine and Spirits Trade, Étienne Gaillard co-founded a wine trading company before joining Gilbert & Gaillard in 2019 as Sales Director.
France
Frédéric Comet
A passionate advocate for Bordeaux and its wines, Frédéric Comet joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2009. Based in Gironde, he is responsible for the Bordeaux regions.
fcomet@gilbertgaillard.com
Nicolas Sanseigne
With a technical sales diploma in wine and experience as a wine shop manager, Nicolas Sanseigne joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2009. Based in Montpellier, he oversees the Corsica, Languedoc, Rhône Valley, and Provence regions.
nsanseigne@gilbertgaillard.com
Caroline Gilbert
After ten years in the Middle East, where she managed Classic Fine Foods (United Arab Emirates), Caroline Gilbert joined the Gilbert & Gaillard team in 2019. She brings her international and gastronomic expertise to support the group's development, and is currently responsible for the Roussillon, Savoie, and Loire Valley regions.
Sandrine Thibault
Originally from the Anjou region and deeply attached to her native terroir, Sandrine Thibault joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2022. She works closely with winegrowers to ensure the smooth registration of their wines in our Challenge and is responsible for the Charentes region.
Italy
Sandra Sirvente
With a unique international background and Calabrian roots, Sandra Sirvente returned to France and joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2018. She is currently the Sales Manager for Italy.
ssirvente@gilbertgaillard.com
Spain and Portugal
Thibault Leray
Holder of an MBA in Wine Marketing & Management, Thibault Leray has international experience, including two years in Barcelona. He joined Gilbert & Gaillard as Sales Manager for Spain and Portugal, where he promotes medal-winning wines in export markets.
tleray@gilbertgaillard.com
South Africa
Olivier Duroy
Following a career as a Financial Analyst, Olivier Duroy earned an MSc in Wine and Spirits Management in Bordeaux. Since 2019, he has been managing the South African market from Stellenbosch for Gilbert & Gaillard.
oduroy@gilbertgaillard.com
Petru Venter
With a Master of Science in international trade, Petru Venter spent over seven years in the wine sector before joining Gilbert & Gaillard in 2018. She is based in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
petru@gilbertgaillard.com
Central and Eastern Europe
Philippe Ricros
After completing a Master’s in Wine Management and Trade in Bordeaux, Philippe Ricros spent three years in Shanghai distributing wine. He joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2021 and now oversees the Central European market.
South America
Vivien Morvan
A graduate with a National Diploma in Oenology (DNO) from Montpellier, Vivien Morvan worked harvests across the globe before settling in Mendoza, Argentina. He joined Gilbert & Gaillard in 2022 and manages South American operations from our Mendoza office.
vmorvan@gilbertgaillard.com
Australia and New Zealand
Peter Nixon
Starting his career as a wine merchant in London over 35 years ago, Peter returned to Australia to complete University studies in Wine Marketing in the Barossa Valley. Most recently, Australia's leading wine buyer for over two decades, Peter recently joined Gilbert & Gaillard in May 2026.
pnixon@gilbertgaillard.com
Marketing team
Laurène Gaillard
Holding an MBA in Wine and Spirits Communication, Laurène Gaillard joined Gilbert & Gaillard in August 2026 following a career in the spirits industry. She holds the position of Marketing and Communications Manager.
laurene@gilbertgaillard.com
Victoria Mailhes
Holding a BTS in Communication, Victoria Mailhes joined the marketing team in September 2026 on a work-study basis as part of her Bachelor’s degree in Branding and Digital Marketing. Curious and creative, she puts her skills into practice to contribute to the company's various communication projects.
vmailhes@gilbertgaillard.com
Romane Gouin
Currently completing a work-study program with the Marketing and Communications team, Romane Gouin is preparing for her third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising Creation. Energetic and inquisitive, she is fully committed to her work.
rgouin@gilbertgaillard.com
Administrative team
Navahana Ranohavimparany
Financial Manager comptabilite@gilbertgaillard.com