Cleo Gordon- Events & Front of House
In 2020, The Wine Nerd and Wonder Women of Wine conducted the first ever study on gender equality within the wine industry. This highlighted astonishing figures, showing that the industry has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality. In fact, no roles had perceived equality.
Here at Hambledon Vineyard, we are committed to creating gender parity within our workplace. We have an increasing number of female staff members joining our team in all lines of work, from our vineyard team, to hospitality, to marketing. However, we know there is still room for improvement, and we will work on it tirelessly. In this series, we introduce our women of Hambledon.
If you've visited the vineyard, you've most likely met Cleo- as our first point of call for most of our guests, she's likely greeted you in the tasting room with a smile!
Could you introduce yourself in a few words?
Hello, I’m Cleo and I work Events & Front of House here at Hambledon Vineyard. I was born and raised in the US but have lived in the UK for over a decade. My background is in Hospitality, and I have held a variety of jobs in the industry since graduating from Oxford Brookes with a degree in International Hospitality Management. I am passionate about customer service and creating unforgettable events and experiences for guests.
What’s your relationship to wine in general? The decisions that led to you working in wine?
I adore wine and it has, and always will be, my drink of choice. There is so much to learn and explore about wine and I love that each bottle tells a story about the country that it’s from. During lockdown I started working towards my WSET Level 3 so when the opportunity arose to work at Hambledon, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m grateful to be able to work in a place that combines my love of wine with my passion for hospitality & events.
What or who do you get your inspiration from? Who are your role models?
My parents. They have always taken risks and haven’t been afraid to forge their own path. They’ve taught me to not always choose the easy option and to continue to push and challenge myself.
What would be your advice to young women starting in the industry?
It’s an amazing industry full of incredible & passionate people, but it can be tough so be confident, work hard, and have fun!
Cheers!
