The wine domain has very few (or no?) secrets for François, a graduate in superior sommelerie with sensory analysis from the University of wine Château de Suze-La-Rousse, in France. He worked for many years as a product expert at the SAQ, notably as a taster-editor and trainer in the 'Les Connaisseurs' department, in addition to being a guest taster at the prestigious World Wine Selections of Canada competition. In the agency for more than a decade, he has been at the forefront of new trends and now uses his in-depth knowledge of the product and the market, as well as his sense of analysis and detail, with many producers, with whom he has built solid and long-lasting business relationships, to the delight of Quebec consumers.
Stephane holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MSc) from the Université de Sherbrooke, as well as a diploma in Sommelier studies from the ITHQ. He worked for nearly 10 years at the SAQ as an Categories Director.
His first major project with the SAQ was “Origine Québec,” aimed at enhancing the visibility of locally produced alcoholic beverages. At the same time, he was also responsible for wine purchasing and marketing on a global scale. With 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Stéphane is a team player with a diverse skill set, driven to push his team beyond their limits. Psst… he’s a hunter and angler—ask him for a wine pairing for wild game, and you’ll make his day!
Guillaume has been gaining experience in the wine and spirits industry since he was 18. He began his career in the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) stores, where he held the position of Branch Operations Coordinator for 9 years. After gaining solid experience in operations and team management, Guillaume honoured several mandates as substitute store director. In 2014, he joined the Divin Paradis team as a marketing analyst. In the meantime, he excelled in a 2-year mandate for a multinational specializing in bulk wine and local bottling. Guillaume expresses his passion and shares his knowledge by developing innovative strategies to promote product quality and diversity. His expertise in the wine and spirits sector is based on a combination of practical experience and ongoing training, enabling him to keep constantly up to date with the latest trends and the most effective marketing techniques. His aim is to enable consumers to discover and fully appreciate the pleasures of the table.
Born and bred in France, she moves to England shortly after finishing her master’s in marketing. After a few years in Real Estate, she finally decides to make a living out of her passion for wine starting as a shop assistant in a wine store to then joining the Buying team of Majestic Wine, the largest wine specialist in the UK. Along the way she manages the creation of numerous own labels and tertiary brands for the company. After a few years back in France working as an NPD & Marketing manager for a negociant, she finally settles in Canada, starting with Dream Wine, a fine wine agency in BC & AB before joining Divin Paradis in Quebec. WSET4 graduate with Merits, she is passionate about discovering terroirs and unlocking wine family secrets. When she is not enjoying a glass of wine, she likes hiking, running & baking.
With a long-standing passion for the restaurant industry, Catherine has held a variety of roles in the field, from server to bartender, eventually co-founding a staffing agency specializing in bar personnel. After earning a bachelor's degree in marketing communications, she continued her career as a sales analyst and representative for another agency, before spending over a decade in the media industry, where she refined her skills in business development and marketing strategy.
Now Brand Manager at Divin Paradis, she draws on her diverse background to elevate the agency’s portfolio through strategic vision, hands-on experience, and contagious energy.
Outside of work, Catherine finds balance through rock climbing, yoga, and backpacking — always in search of new adventures… and great wines!
Alexandra has been working in the wine industry for a little over 20 years. A certified sommelier, having graduated from ITHQ in 2015, she built her career at the heart of the restaurant sector, where she developed solid field experience, a keen knowledge of products, and a sharp sense of human relations. In 2021, she made the leap to wine representation in an agency, which allowed her to deepen her understanding of commercial challenges, the Quebec market, and producer relations. Alexandra joined the Divin Paradis team as Brand Manager, beginning a new stage of her career in marketing and merchandising. In her role, she works on brand development, marketing strategies, producer relations, and product merchandising for both private imports and the SAQ. Recognized for her analytical approach, problem-solving ability, and field experience, Alexandra combines rigor, relational skills, and infectious passion. Her objective is to showcase the work behind each producer, build lasting partnerships, and educate consumers to enable them to fully appreciate the richness and authenticity of the terroirs.
Sandrine joined Divin Paradis in 2023 as an accountant. With 25 years of experience in accounting, including 14 in the field, she’s using her knowledges to manage and improve procedures. Always attentive, she strives to respond to the requests of both colleagues and producers. Coming straight from Belgium, the country of beer, she discovered the world of wine with great pleasure. When she is not busy juggling accounts, she devotes herself to her family, her daughters and her volunteer work at school!
Nicolas has been part of the Divin Paradis team since 2014. He has more than 10 years of experience as a manager and sales representative. Born in the original Syrah region, passionate about viticulture and gastronomy, it was after a long journey of travels and discoveries that he decided to put down his glass in Montreal.
Alphonse has worked as a sales representative for nearly 12 years at Divin Paradis. He studied hotel management and then rose through rank in various luxury hotels and renowned restaurants across Canada. Passionate about wine, he continued his studies and completed his ASP as a sommelier in 2004. What he loves above all is having friends at home to share a good meal and his latest wine find. If you meet him somewhere, talk to him about Beaujolais or Burgundy wines, you will see his eyes shine.
Laurie made her debut at the SAQ at the age of 19, where over the next four years - in parallel with her bachelor's degree in kinesiology - she refined her palate, enhanced her technical knowledge and developed the contagious pleasure of helping customers, friends and colleagues discover new products. As a Certified WSET Level 2, Laurie now devotes her energy to Divin Paradis: building bridges between inspiring producers and curious wine lovers, and offering everyone a memorable experience, one glass at a time.
A long-time enthusiast of the culinary world, Olivier decided to study catering at the ITHQ, where he completed international training in cuisine and gastronomy. During his time there, he also completed advanced training in cuisine, as well as basic training in sommellerie. This led to an internship at the Michelin-starred Jardin des Remparts in Beaune, Burgundy. On his return, he turned to Le Manoir Hovey to continue his apprenticeship for 2 years. After several enriching experiences, he turned to studies in journalism, media arts and technology. During his studies, he became interested in the world of viticulture and oenology. He then joined the ranks of the SAQ for 4 years as a cashier-salesman and substitute manager. During this time, his knowledge of wine grew. He then decided to join the Divin Paradis team to combine his love of oenology, communications and not forgetting food and wine pairing. What's more, if you're lucky enough to meet him, he's sure to surprise you with his signature phrase: “Bonjour, here’s Olivier Bonjour”.
After a long career at the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), from which he retired in 2022, Marc continued his professional path in an agency, where he has worked as a representative for four years. Driven by a constant passion for customer service, he stands out for his commitment and human approach. Over the years, he has also provided training, both within the SAQ and for private clients, generously sharing his expertise. Passionate about wine and human relations, Marc combines knowledge and the pleasure of sharing in each of his interactions. He holds a bachelor's degree in communication and also completed professional photography training at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal. Since working for the agency, Marc has confessed to us that Divin Paradis is indeed divine.
Véronique has over 20 years of experience within the SAQ, where she developed in-depth expertise in the world of wine, regarding both products and advisory services. In parallel, she has over 15 years of sales representation experience in the food sector. Over the last five years, she has worked in the coffee industry, a universe with many similarities to that of wine, particularly in terms of tasting, aromatic profile, and customer experience. This experience has enriched her ability to advise, tell a product's story, and thereby build solid and lasting relationships with her clientele. Holding a bachelor's degree in education and thus recognized for her communication skills, she stands out for her ability to understand her clientele's needs and propose adapted solutions. Passionate and committed, she continues her career with the constant desire to promote the products she represents.
