Beverage manager at Merivale hit with multiple DV charges

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:08, 7 May 2026 | Updated: 03:10, 7 May 2026 A senior manager at Merivale, one of Australia's largest hospitality groups, has been hit with multiple domestic violence charges. Beverage manager Andrea Gualdi is facing three domestic-violence related charges after allegedly assaulting a woman and damaging a wall in her home. The 38-year-old was arrested and charged on April 21 with deliberately or recklessly damaging property to an amount less than $2,000, intimidation, and common assault. His arrest came after a 36-year-old woman reported an assault by a man known to her in 2024 to Mascot Police on April 20.  Court documents obtained by news.com.au state the alleged domestic violence occurred between January and November 2024 at the woman's home in Edmondson Park in Sydney's south-west. Gualdi pleaded not guilty to the charges in Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday. He was granted bail and will appear in court for a hearing on December 1.  Gualdi co-founded the Sydney bar Maybe Sammy before joining Merivale in 2023. Andrea Gualdi is facing three domestic-violence charges after allegedly assaulting a woman The beverage manager for Merivale was arrested after a 36-year-old woman reported an assault by a man known to her in 2024 to Mascot Police on April 20 Gualdi co-founded bar Maybe Sammy before joining Merivale in 2023 (The Ivy is pictured) Merivale is led by CEO Justin Hemmes, who took over in the mid-1990s and expanded the group to more than 90 brands and venues. Gualdi describes himself on LinkedIn as an 'award-winning hospitality leader with extensive expertise in food and beverage innovation, guest experience, and multi-venue operations'. The manager said he had a proven ability to translate a vision into commercially successful strategies that elevate brands and deliver excellence on a large scale. 'I'm eager to collaborate with the team on unique and innovative experiences, focusing on thinking outside the box when it comes to delivering those drinks to our guests and creating memorable experiences,' he told Hospitality Magazine in 2023. 'I look forward to working with the talented teams at Merivale to create a beverage offering that rivals the world's best.' The Daily Mail has contacted Merivale and Gualdi for comment. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.