Omtis takes on new head of private clients

Hong Kong’s fine wine merchants, Omtis has appointed former head sommelier of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Herve Pennequin as its new head of private clients.

Herve Pennequin has joined Omtis as head of private clients

“If you’re patient, the right person comes along,” enthused Philippe Bera, the chief operating officer of Omtis.

“The appointment was really three years in the making, almost since I started at Omtis myself. But I didn’t want to hire anyone in a rush and as we are an owner-managed company, I wanted to find someone, loyal and honest who understands our values.”

Born in Lille, Herve Pennequin is an award-winning sommelier with more than 25 years in the hospitality and wine industry. His parents ran a wine bar and he knew he wanted to work in wine since he was 14 and watching what labels the customers ordered. His career spans two and three-Michelin starred restaurants in Paris and he also worked as a restaurant consultant in Atlanta.

Pennequin moved to Hong Kong in 2010 where he was appointed the head sommelier of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, overlooking the wine program for 30 restaurants, three wine shops and its online wine retail store as well as supplying wine for the Jockey Club’s events in its clubhouses in Hong Kong, Shatin and Beijing. He also came third in ASI’s Best Sommelier of the World competition in 2004.

“Omtis has an impressive portfolio, with a world-class inventory, and a very select private clients list,” he said. “It provides a lifestyle – I don’t want to say a concierge service – but organises very specific events for individuals. We proposed a wine dinner from a certain Chateau for only 15 people, with vintages from the 1960s onwards. Also on a yacht!”

Omtis is a fine wine merchant – though it sees itself more as a ‘bank for wine’ – founded in the early 1980s in Hong Kong as part of the Omtis Group which has divisions in property, business services and financial investments and a near 100-year history in Greater China. Holding stock in France and in its headquarters in Hung Hom, Omtis has a focus on Bordeaux, and is gradually building up its Burgundy and Champagne offering.

It is also the exclusive agent for Domaine des Malandes, Ronan by Clinet and Domaine François Buffet in Hong Kong, though Bera is quick to point out that Omtis is geared more towards being flexible and “selling what the clients want as opposed to us selling them what we have.

“We offer independent and unbiased advice which is what differentiates us. We have the resources to hold stock, and liquidate when the time is right and at the right price. We see ourselves as being somewhat of a negociant of Asia.”

While the client base is mainly in Hong Kong, Bera spoke of the “huge potential” in other South East Asian countries. “Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos. There are some very serious wine drinkers there wanting some very hard-to-find labels. Their thirst for wine and increasing their knowledge is incredible.”

Plans for the company include more tailored private client events outside of Hong Kong, and exploring the possibilities in under-developed markets. Since Pennequin started his role on 15 August it’s been all hands on deck.

“It’s been a great start, I’m really looking forward to bringing a new level to Omtis,” he said.

“It’s good to be busy though I get so many WhatsApp messages [from Bera] that I have to charge my phone three times a day!”