Meet The Hill’s New Sommelier

After spending years working on the dining team, Olivier Francois decided to pursue a new opportunity: becoming certified as a sommelier–the first ever at The Hill. Knowing that his certification would further enhance life at The Hill for so many residents, Olivier was excited to create new experiences and help people discover new tastes.

“Since joining The Hill, I had a vision to build a wine program, and the residents encouraged me to go for my certification,” said Olivier. “I received my Level I certification in July, and I plan to continue my education to eventually become a Level III sommelier.”

Even before receiving his sommelier certification, Olivier took tremendous pride in the bar program at The Hill.

“We take it seriously, and it rivals what trendy restaurants are doing in the city,” said Olivier. “Being able to take our wine program to the next level has been such a fun challenge. I’ve been working closely with Chef Adam and his team to pair meals with specific wines to create great dining experiences and help the residents learn more about certain regions around the world through their food.”

Olivier and Chef Adam’s approach to planning menus with wine pairings follows a popular phrase within the world of food and wine: “If it grows together, it goes together.”

“You have the chance to learn more about yourself and the world through wine,” Olivier said. “It can add more adventure to your food choices, especially if you don’t particularly love a certain type of wine or a type of food, because when you have the right pairing, it changes your experience of both. The right wine can add a different texture, a new layer to the foods you’re eating.”

In addition to food and wine pairings, Olivier has also brought a Wine of the Month program to The Hill.

“The residents come on a journey of learning about new wines along with me,” said the newly minted sommelier. “I showcase a new red and white wine each month, and I aim to make it accessible, fun, and informative for all who participate. Wine can be intimidating for those who are new to it, and I try to take the stress out of the process for everyone.”

Olivier’s love of learning is clearly visible in how he approaches teaching people about new wines. From shaping “lessons” around exploring the region of the world where the wines come from to educating the dining staff about how to make smarter wine recommendations to residents, Olivier is driven by a passion that is contagious.

“I want to make the experience fun for people but also approachable. I am always open to people asking questions and learning new things. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it?” – Olivier Francois