Germaine Esquivel, Sommelier

Gemaine was raised on the West Side of Long Beach, Southern California, to a single mother and with 2 younger brothers. Her adventurous nature flew her through the Army for 8 years, exploring the planet, with Food & Beverage Service to follow. Curiosity took her to Hawaii before landing on the Monterey Peninsula with a penchant for provisions in 2002. Having received her degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services at CSU Monterey Bay, she served over a decade in the non-profit sector before the Hospitality Division called her back again. She is proud to have worked for stellar milestones in Hospitality in the area. Her first Sommelier position was that of Carmel Highlands Inn, the original site of the Masters of Food & Wine, precursor to Pebble Beach Food & Wine. She also served as Sommelier at Aubergine Restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel, our first Michelin-awarded Restaurant locally. She then served as Beverage & Service Manager at Monterey Peninsula Country Club for over 5 years, having co-hosted the AT&T Pro-Am and Masters Golf Tournament. She is currently happily serving as Restaurant Manager at Sierra Mar at Post Ranch, assisting a Wine Spectator Grand-Awarded Wine Program, boosting Service Standards, and forefronting 3-Michelin-Key Hospitality. As a civilian in her off-time, she serves as a Commissioner to the Monterey County Community Action Partnership, allocating Federal Funds to Community Organizations. She also serves on the Board to LULAC (the League of Latin American Citizens, a nationwide Civil Rights Organization empowering the status of the Latino Population locally, and if time persists, she is also a long distance runner, having roots tied to the Tarahumara People of Chihuahua, Mexico. She believes that wine & food brings people together, while ancient indigenous stories set the pathway for the future.