Andy and Vic Trudgill, owners of Gills & Co, are keen to celebrate the “Co” part of their business.  As a hybrid shop, bar and restaurant they need people with great hospitality skills and as Vic explains, Patrycja more than fits the bill.

“Pat joined us in September 2023,” says Vic. “Initially she was part-time but very quickly she took on a leading role within the business. She now runs the full front end within our business from a service perspective. 

“Pat demonstrates so much passion for the world of wine, especially when she’s talking to customers, whether through recommending a wine, talking about a personal experience or hosting our weekly wine tastings.”

Although Pat joined Gills & Co with a decade of hospitality experience under her belt, she didn’t know much about wine. “My wine knowledge extended to white, red, rosé and sparkling,” she says.  “I didn’t really know much beyond that.” 

Since passing her WSET Level 2, she’s preparing to sit Level 3, which Vic is confident Pat will “pass with flying colours”. Vic continues: “She is an absolute asset to our team and we’re hoping she grows within our business and beyond. We can’t wait to see where her career goes from here.”

While Pat waits for her next WSET course to start, her knowledge continues to grow naturally. “I have now taken on more responsibilities in doing most of the tastings that we host. We host two tastings at least per week, and they are quite detailed, so I’ll do some solid research. It’s a lot of reading and learning but I love it and it’s such a satisfying part of my job,” she says.

“I absolutely remember the wine that changed my life. It was the Rolly Gassmann Gewürztraminer 2009. It was exciting. The fact that I got to research it, then open the bottle and taste it … it was awesome and I’ll remember that forever. 

“When I discovered wine, it was such a new and exciting world, and I’m definitely hooked. My knowledge is still quite basic but I feel that’s a really good place to be because there’s so much out there to discover and so much more to learn. 

“At the moment we’ve got a Chinese producer whose wine sells really well. It’s one of those things that I just love to champion. I like letting customers try something without telling them what it is, then talking with them about what they’ve tasted and seeing that reaction.”

Pat expects to be the “Co” for many years to come as she describes Gills & Co as “the most wholesome and healthy workplace” she’s experienced. “I absolutely love it here,” she says. “We work hard together, but we also enjoy the fruits of our labours together. We’re very close and have a great dynamic. I value it so much.”

Pat wins a bottle of Klein Constantia Perdeblokke Sauvignon Blanc, courtesy of Mentzendorff.

If you’d like to nominate a Rising Star, email claire@winemerchantmag.com