Gail Sotelo I Photo by Star Sabroso I Shot on location at Discovery Primea’s 1824 Whisky and Cigar Bar and Edge
Gail Sotelo
Owner of 2shotsandapint.com | Beverage and Restaurant Consultant | Beverage Writer | Part-Time Instructor for the WSET Program, Enderun Colleges
Between consulting for restaurants, contributing to several online publications, and helping out in the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) at Enderun Colleges, Gail Sotelo accidentally put up a beverage site, 2shotsandapint.com. A self-confessed geek, Gail loves the multidisciplinary aspect of wine, which is her specialty. “For me, wine is a mix of biology, chemistry, languages, culture, history, geography, and even maths (which I’ve discovered in a book I’m reading right now about mathematical equations used for determining harvest),” she shares.
The worst challenges she faced in the industry involved women and not men. “I’ve received more flak and gossip from women, including comparisons, how I should do my job, how I should look, how I should speak and who I should speak to, and how I should treat other women as competition,” Gail recounts. “It honestly makes me sad.”
Gail thinks that being a woman in the alcohol industry is a matter of perception. “It sounds a little strange, but I’m of the school of thought that gender should not be a factor affecting the way I see my industry or the work I choose to do,” she adds.
“One of the reasons why I’m excited to do this with DrinkManila is that I am a firm believer in having as many voices, men and women alike, as possible in the alcohol industry, and there is so much room for that.”
What can you advise aspiring women who would like to pursue a career in the drink world?
I’d advise women looking into a career in the drink world to be smart about it. Getting certifications and further education, in general, is rarely disputable, no matter what gender or race you are. Surround yourself with people who you can learn from and who will support you, and then be generous with what you’ve learned. Also, this is not an easy industry to be in, so work hard, keep learning, stay passionate, and have fun.
What do you like to drink?
I know I’m incredibly predictable, but I like drinking wine (my go-to wine of the moment is a proper Provence Rosé because it’s getting warmer in Manila). I had an excellent conversation recently with Estampa Wine’s Cristián Mubert, where he said that wine is like an ambassador of its origins. I love exploring different regions and cultures, and I’ve always found that each wine is a reflection of the winemaker and its physical surroundings as evidenced by the way it smells, tastes, and pairs with food.
Where do you go for decent drinks in the Philippines, or abroad?
I’m a huge fan of Discovery Primea’s Gilarmi Lounge because I can play around with their gin buffet, and I’ve always been in love with Kath Eckstein’s bartending skills, so Dulo MNL is another favorite. I also get cerebral in Yoi sake bar through deep conversations on sake with Tadeo Chua and EO (Employees Only) in Manhattan is the place to be for proper cocktails (all the legendary bartenders in the city go there for their drinks so that speaks volumes about the place).
For wine, my all-time favorite place is my friend’s parents’ house in Angers (Loire Valley, France) because, for me, it’s a true reflection of what wine drinking should be: generous, warm, gastronomic, mildly erudite, and cultural.
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