Media Release from Eichardt’

August 16 2013

Eichardt’s Hotel appoints new sommelier to expand wine offering

Multi-award-winning Eichardt’s Private Hotel in Queenstown has appointed experienced sommelier Kimberly Flear to the front of house team.

Ms Flear joins the luxury hotel this week (w/c August 12 2013) after many years working in the wine and hospitality industries in Queenstown, Australia and Canada.

Eichardt’s General Manager James Cavanagh said Ms Flear brought extensive wine and hospitality knowledge to the hotel’s already experienced food and beverage team.

“Our in-house guests and visitors to the House Bar are well travelled with high expectations, expecting our team to have unrivalled knowledge of local and international wines,” he said.

“Kimberly has fantastic wine knowledge and is a consummate hospitality professional.

“She’s a real asset to the team and we’re looking forward to seeing what she brings to our already considerable wine offering.”

Canadian-born Ms Flear studied for three years to gain her diploma in Hotel Resort Management in Canada and has completed her Level Two Wine, Spirit and Education Trust (WSET) qualification.

Ms Flear has worked with a number of well-known establishments including the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Glass Dining and Lounge Bar on the Gold Coast and most recently as restaurant manager at Queenstown restaurant Pier 19.

She said she was privileged to be working at the exclusive property and looked forward to expanding her knowledge of wine and imparting that knowledge to staff and guests.

“I’ve always had a strong interest in wine and that developed further when I moved to Queenstown,” Ms Flear said.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with suppliers to provide our guests with the best possible selection of world wines. 

“I’m looking forward to casting fresh eyes over the wine list and creating a fantastic new list for people to enjoy in the future.”

Ms Flear will also be responsible for organising the hotel’s monthly winemaker dinners, working alongside experienced chef Will Eaglesfield to create mouth-watering menus that are perfectly complemented with the right wines.

“Our winemaker dinners have been a great success,” said Mr Cavanagh.

“They’re intimate wine and dining experiences for just 12 people and focus solely on matching our great food, with great wine.

“Kimberly promises to add some unique twists to this monthly event. It’ll be interesting to see what unique combinations we come up with,” he said.

Eichardt’s next Winemaker dinner will be held on Friday 30th August 2013. For bookings please contact the hotel on 03 441 0450 or email events@eichardts.com

The hotel’s award-winning chef Will Eaglesfield, who joined the hotel in January this year, was recently announced as a finalist in the HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence. Mr Eaglesfield has been shortlisted in the category of Best Hotel Chef and the winner will be announced at the Gala Dinner in Sydney on September 6 2013.

“Our goal is to ensure Eichardt’s is as synonymous with excellent cuisine and wine as it is for luxury accommodation and we’re well on our way to achieving that,” said Mr Cavanagh.

“Will’s nomination as hotel chef of the year simply helps to cement our position as one of Queenstown’s best dining establishments.

“Kimberly’s appointment this week will ensure we continue to marry our fantastic food with the best wine.”

In another gala event Eichardt’s Private Hotel is the only Queenstown hotel to be nominated for the 2013 World Luxury Hotel Awards. Chosen by the public, the annual awards recognise hotels and resorts that excel in providing the ultimate in luxury for their guests across the globe.

To vote for Eichardt’s Private Hotel visit the website http://www.luxuryhotelawards.com/node/add/vote/1431

Kimberly Flear joins Eichardt’s Private Hotel team as sommelier

ENDS

© Scoop Media