Gerhard’s a master of many trades, armed with brains, heart and a wicked sense of humour. “Can’t be done”? He’ll top it.
What he does.
Gerhard Retter is ready to be by your side. As a distinguished sommelier, maître d’ of exceptional calibre, seasoned presenter and respected judge. He offers guidance to teams, refines service culture through tailored training, and collaborates with selected brands whose values align with his own. Above all, he takes particular pleasure in developing thoughtful hospitality concepts – and personally ensuring they are brought to life with authenticity and finesse.
His focus is always the same: creating an atmosphere in which guests immediately sense the identity of the house, and in which the team feels genuinely connected to it. In every respect, Gerhard is a true all-rounder – the Styrian answer to the Swiss Army knife, though infinitely more elegant. His range is broad, his standards uncompromising.
He welcomes enquiries in German, English or French.
À bientôt!
At a glance
Sommelier
Wine & Cheese
Retter Service Academy
Service, Wine & Cheese
Analysis, Concept Development &
Bespoke Training
Hosting & Moderation
German, English & French
Judge
Authentic, Insightful & Deeply Respectful
Consulting
Strategic & Solution-Driven,
Guided by Heart and Experience
Sommelier
For Gerhard, wine is always personal.
Raised among his grandparents’ vines, he grew up with an instinctive feel for balance, character and place. Today, as a seasoned Styrian sommelier, he believes wine shines brightest when enjoyed with ease and authenticity.
A beautiful setting. Good company. A meaningful glass. And the occasional wink to keep things light. Less serious. More Gerhard.
There is a certain poetic symmetry in the fact that a cheese sommelier of his stature is himself modest in height. For Gerhard, reverence for wine is important – but reverence need not become apprehension.
He’d much rather see someone relax with a beautifully poured Sauvignon.
Because if you ask him, there’s only a single misjudgement to be made when it comes to quality wine: failing to delight in it.
Retter Service Academy
A maître completely in his element.
Gerhard is far more than the person at the front of house – he’s the one who knows the rhythm of the room and the answer to the simplest, most important question: red or white? In every place he has worked, he has led and inspired his teams while overseeing the flow of service. And because he is as grounded as he is skilled, he still does the work himself: carving, filleting, flambéing, and shaping evenings that feel truly celebratory.
His aim? That every guest feels more comfortable with him than in their own living room.
To Gerhard, the maître is nothing less than the ultimate expression of hospitality – a custodian of memorable dining moments. Expert without being aloof, knowledgeable without losing warmth.
“Find the guest’s heart,” he says. And everyone knows where that journey begins: with good food, good wine, and genuine care. And that´s just as true for love.
Hosting & Moderation
Wine is a language he commands – with depth, nuance and no dryness in sight.
Gerhard enhances every event he touches. As a presenter, he brings a thoughtful, discerning presence that captivates audiences and elevates the moment. His range and professional ease have made him a trusted name across many different types of events. He combines articulate delivery with real substance – giving people every reason to listen.
His gift lies in meeting his audience at precisely the right moment – making the journey effortless, and ensuring no one leaves empty-handed. A live encounter with Gerhard always imparts something: at times a richer understanding of wine, at times a carefully selected bottle to enjoy later.
Judge
He has nothing to soften – nothing to disguise.
Competitions thrive on great wines and resonant words: authenticity, reverence, distinction.
Gerhard’s role as juror carries weight –he shapes conversations, sharpens perceptions, and sometimes expands the horizons of fellow enthusiasts.
Sensing a wine’s calibre is immediate. Crafting a precise argument takes patience – because his verdict must be unmistakably clear. Think of him as the interpreter who turns the dialect of wine into a language anyone can follow. For Gerhard, one conviction remains constant: from the modest to the magnificent, wine is always a cultural artefact worth honouring. The challenge – and the joy – lies in understanding its facets and expressing them with precision.
Retter & Co.
When expertise is needed, Gerhard is never far.
A genuine Styrian innkeeper’s child, Gerhard Retter embodies the art of hospitality as maître and sommelier. His deep expertise, seasoned experience and distinctive Austrian wit have made him an in-demand consultant, polished speaker and refined trainer for television, events, fine dining and luxury hotels.