Emile Majdalani: Biography

Emile Majdalani exudes an inspirational passion for what he does. What he does is not just sell wines; in his role as Commercial Director for Chateau Kefraya he makes these wines ¨come alive¨ for an ever-increasing international audience. When he joined Chateau Kefraya in 2003 its wines were present in 20 countries and during his time in this role he has increased the market to 40 countries as far-flung and diverse as Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore and the Czech Republic. However he is quick to explain that quality is far more important than quantity and that the winery´s mission is to specialize in the high-end market in terms of its global expansion. In order to achieve this, Emile hand picks his sales channels by selecting fine restaurants, liquor stores, and specialized wine shops. Furthermore, commercialization is not only synonymous with sales but also implies being a living ambassador for Chateau Kefraya´s wines and working closely with local artists to ensure that all packaging and labeling faithfully represent the brand.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon on the 6th of January, 1978, Emile holds both Lebanese and Grenadian nationalities. He was educated in France and Lebanon, having attended Paris´ Dupanloup College and the Mission Laïque Française in Beyrouth before graduating from the Lebanese American University with Honors in Engineering. He is a member of the French Confrérie des Echansons (literally the Brotherhood of Wine Specialists), an exclusive group of connoisseurs whose mission is to promote and defend the traditions of wine.

Apart from being passionate about wines his hobbies include tennis, politics and reading, as well as a love of music. However his work infuses all of these pastimes as he strongly believes that he carries the brand´s image with him wherever he goes and in whatever he does. And in doing so he admits that the challenge of expansion is a never ending one as he is constantly looking for a new table in any corner of the world where a bottle of Chateau Kefraya can be perfectly plonked on any table and enjoyed in a variety of locations, landscapes and languages.