HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (July 31, 2023) –The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay – the leading Forbes Five-Star oceanfront resort in the San Francisco Bay Area – has hired sommelier, Mariano Padilla, to spearhead the luxury resort’s wine program. Padilla will play a crucial role in curating an exceptional wine program, ensuring that guests have access to a diverse and sophisticated selection of wines.
Padilla brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in wine to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Padilla was certified as a Sommelier in 2015, and in 2022 he earned the Level 3 Advanced Sommelier Award in wines. Padilla comes to The Ritz-Carlton from 3 Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco where he served as sommelier and managed its prestigious cellars.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mariano Padilla to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay,” said Mathieu Riviere, General Manager of the resort. “His passion for wine and dedication to providing exceptional service align perfectly with our commitment to creating unique and memorable experiences for our guests. With his expertise, we aim to elevate our wine program and offer guests an unparalleled and unforgettable stay.”
In his new role, Padilla will work alongside The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Executive Chef Roberto Riveros and Navio Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón to complement their menus at Forbes Four-Star restaurant Navio and the coastal-inspired establishment, The Conservatory. One of his first initiatives will be to curate the wine experience for the resort’s Global Cuisine Series with Michelin-starred Chef Shin Thompson of NIKU X taking place September 21-24.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the inspiring culinary team at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.” says Padilla. “The resort truly is a Bay Area staple, and I am looking forward to elevating the program to even greater heights.”
Prior to Atelier Crenn, Padilla served as head sommelier at Lavender Ridge Vineyard in Murphys, California, where he managed all wine programming, including tastings for vineyard guests. He brings robust resort experience to his new role, including sommelier positions at Chable Maroma Wellness Resort and Spa and Secrets Akumal Resort and Spa, both in Mexico. Additional international experience includes 1 Michelin-starred Nerua Restaurant in Bilbao, Spain, where he worked as sommelier stagier. Hailing from Mexico, he has a deep passion for oenology and is well-versed in global wine regions, grape varietals, and winemaking techniques. Not only is he an expert in wine, he also speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and English.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is located at 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. For reservations or more information, please call 800-241-3333 or visit ritzcarlton.com/HMB.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Situated 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a 261-room destination spa and golf coastal hotel. As the San Francisco Bay Area’s only oceanfront resort, it is perched atop a rugged bluff overlooking 50 miles of pristine California coastline. The timeless oceanfront estate provides guests with a relaxed yet refined experience for romantic getaways, meetings or special events. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 650-712-7000, a travel professional or visit ritzcarlton.com/HMB. Learn more about the destination at visithalfmoonbay.org.
