Pamela Wittmann recognized with the Order of Agricultural Merit by France on September 4th, 2021 [fr]
For her work with French winemakers, particularly in the Beaujolais region, and for helping to cement France’s oenological reputation in the United States, Pamela Wittmann was made Knight in the Order of Agricultural Merit by the Consul General of France in New York, Jérémie Robert.
Born in Paris to American and French parents, Pamela Wittmann is the founder and president of the public relations and marketing agency Millissime, which specializes in advising foreign wine and artisanal products companies operating in the American market. Since 2001, leading a trilingual team, she has been providing expertise to companies seeking to increase their visibility and sales in the United States. She supports many French wineries and wine associations, such as Château Phélan Ségur, Château Tourril, Capsouto Frères, and the Compagnons du Beaujolais - Devoir de New York.
After studying chemistry at the University of Paris, she worked as a researcher in the oenology laboratory of the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne, obtained a National Diploma in Oenology from the University of Reims and an MBA from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Reims. She then trained as an assistant oenologist at the Gloria Ferrer winery in California, where she developed a system to determine the best harvest dates. She rose through the ranks of a Champagne house in New York starting in 1991, becoming Regional Director of Sales and Public Relations for the Northeastern United States and then Director of Exports for the North American market in 1996.
Since then, Pamela Wittmann has pursued a career in public relations consulting specializing in hotel management, first as an account executive for KB Network and then by creating Millissime in 2001. She has helped dozens of wine producers, chefs, restaurateurs and artisans build their reputation in the United States.
Her involvement with French wine houses is a testament to her attachment to our cultural heritage; in addition to her role as president of Millissime, she organizes tastings, forges partnerships and promotes Beaujolais wines in her capacity as Grand Tabellion of the Compagnons du Beaujolais brotherhood. Founded in the aftermath of World War II, the Order of the Companions of Beaujolais promotes Beaujolais wines around the world. Since 2014, Pamela Wittmann has also been the representative of Château de Phélan Ségur in the United States, which leads her to oversee and improve the entire distribution chain of their "Grands Crus" to America.
Au nom du Ministre de l’Agriculture, de l’Agroalimentaire et de la Forêt, nous vous faisons Chevalier du Mérite Agricole. - Jérémie Robert, Consul General of France in New York.