Throughout both a worldwide corporate career in industry followed by a successful entrepreneurial career in property, Adam has focussed on enjoying, understanding and learning about wine.

Being half-French, food and wine always played a central part in Alex’s upbringing; especially at the regular family get-togethers!

38 years in the industry including 31 years as head of beers wines and spirits at Sainsburys. Received the IWSC award of "biggest contribution to the UK wine trade for past 40 years in 2009

Amy Mumma is the Founder and Director of the Central Washington University (CWU) Institute of Wine, Beverages and Gastronomy.

Andy has been a judge with the IWSC for the past 7 years. Initially Andy worked as a wine merchant and importer in the UK and France for 15 years

 Master Blender at Mackmyra Svensk Whisky, Sweden

Angela Mount is best known for her role as head of wine for Somerfield supermarkets, which she left 4 years ago, to set up her own consultancy business.

Angela Reddin has been involved in the wine trade since 1996.

Ann Samuelsen is a wine journalist, educator and an international judge. She writes for the Norwegian trade magazine APERITIF, which goes to all sommeliers, restaurants and hotels in Norway.

 Anne Jones is a drinks expert with responsibility for managing all media and publications for Wines, Beers and Spirits at Waitrose.

 Anne Krebiehl is a freelance wine writer, educator and also a judge at international wine competitions.

Anthony Foster has been in the Wine trade for over forty years. In 1974, he became a Master of Wine, passing the most arduous four day tasting and theoretical qualification in the industry.

Arno Pauli is an avid distiller and brewer from Tyrol (Austria)

Introduced to spirits and distillation at early age from his father in his own distillery, the love of fine spirits was virtually in the cradle of Arthur Nägele.

Barry has been involved in every aspect of wine all his life, Vineyardist, Winery owner, Wine Maker, wine sales inc, wholesaler, retailer and importer and Wine Educator at colleges and specialized schools.

Ben has been in the wine trade for 17 years, after a spate at Oddbins, he worked for two years with the Symington’s in Oporto and the Douro and then as their Brand Manager in the UK.

Bernhard started his career in the Drinks business back in 1985. From then on, he was specialised in selling Spirits and started giving lectures from 1988.

Bill Rolfe was Marketing director at Unwins Wine Merchants before moving over to the other side of the industry and heading up the marketing department for one of Spain’s largest wine groups.

William “Bill” Traverso is a wine retail consultant, and professional wine judge with over thirty-five years of experience.

Brenda was born and raised on a farm in Keimoes, Northern Cape, South Africa. She had always been interested in grapes and the growing thereof, later sparking an interest in winemaking which has become her passion and her career.

IWSC Judge for over 20 years with winemaking experience covering Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Chile and Argentina. Currently working for premium Tuscan house Avignonesi.

Wine Maestro Brett Jones has spent over forty years learning about, working with, teaching others about, and – naturally – enjoying wine.

Together with my Brother I operate a small distillery in Austria. Distilling for me is only a sideline but I try to catch the whole flavour of the Fruit into the bottle.

 Born in Milan in 1966, Bruno Petronilli is a food and wine journalist since 1992.

With more than 40 years involvement in the industry he can be regarded as one of the stalwarts of the South African wine industry.

Charles Hopkins is the inaugural winemaker and one of South Africa’s most highly regarded winemakers both in the country and abroad.

Sommelier Charlie Arturaola is legendary in culinary and oenological circles.
A charismatic wine expert, Charlie approaches his life’s passion with expert knowledge and contagious enthusiasm.

Chris has worked in the Food & Drink industry for over 30 years but qualified in wine relatively recently with the WSET Diploma.

Chris has been making wine in Australia for 38 years, the last 16 as Chief Winemaker for Wolf Blass.

Chris Horridge has been working in the Wine industry since 1995 and been judging at the IWSC since 1997. 

Australian born Chris Unger is based in London UK and is employed by Negociants UK the Australian owned agent for Yalumba Wines, Hill Smith Family Vineyards, Vasse Felix Wines, and Jim Barry Wines.

  For Claudia Schug Schuetz, the wine business is an international family affair!

An ex-teacher, professional football scout and restaurateur Colin has been involved with the wine trade in various different capacities for over 20 years, the last 15 of which have been spent in Spain.

Colin started in the wine trade some 25 years ago, initally in retail with the family business, Hynard Hughes in Leicester, then into wholesale with Anthony Byrne and House of Townend.

After a lifelong love affair with wine Colin decided to apply some structure to his wine knowledge by sitting the WSET’s range of wine courses.

Distiller; winemaker; wine auctioneer; international wine and spirit judge; writer on drink and allied subjects.,Dave Hughes has had a long and varied career including a long spell with the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery

Dave joined Waitrose in 1984 and has enjoyed an extremely diverse career with John Lewis Partnership to date. 

 David Cowderoy is a consultant winemaker operating throughout the globe.

David Nathan-Maister is the CEO of Oxygenee Ltd, a UK-based company operating in the field of absinthe, and rare and vintage spirits (particularly cognac and calvados)

I have been a lay judge at the IWSC since 2007. It is a joy and privilege to work with such a diverse group of wine industry figures. I qualified as a solicitor and spent 16 years in the Civil Service.

Born in Ayr on the west coast of Scotland in 1945, David Stewart started work at William Grant & Sons as an apprentice in 1962, the year before Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first exported to England.

David has been involved with wine for the whole of his career. David joined the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as Head of Education.

Davide is Maître Sommelier of  the "Le Jardin de Russie Restaurant”

Having started with Mark McCormack (at IFM), Deborah Collinson moved on to conceive, edit and produce London's first free property newspaper.

Deborah Parker Wong, AIWS is Northern California editor for The Tasting Panel magazine where she reports on the global wine and spirits industries with an emphasis on domestic trends.

A resident of Hong Kong for nearly 25 years, Debra Meiburg MW is a celebrated wine journalist, TV personality, wine educator and in-demand speaker who holds the top honour in the wine world – Master of Wine.

 Is the founder and Principal of the European Wine Academy (www.europeanwineacademy.org).

A member of the Waitrose Wines department from 1986-2006,specialising in Spirits,Port,Sherry and Liqueurs. Head of department from 2003 -2006

Dr Bill Lumsden is Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks for The Glenmorangie Company; a role in which he is responsible for all of the Company's whisky products.

Dr. Binod K Maitin is Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Technical Centre with United Spirits Limited, India. He has spent more than 22 years in the company.

Dr Jim Beveridge has over 25 years experience in the Scotch Whisky industry, covering the science and technolgy of new-make production, maturation and blending within Diageo

Sam has sat on the spirit judging panel of The International Wine and Spirits Competition since 2007.

Studied Enology and Viticulture, lectured at Elsenburg College of Agriculture and simultaneously studied further for my Masters Degree in Enology (with Wine Microbiology as the major).

Tucked away in the heart of the beautiful Devon Valley just outside Stellenbosch, winemaker Elunda Basson, masterly creates the sparkling wines.

Heralding from a background of keen gastronomes, Emma’s first taste of wine was at the tender age of 3 (mixed with water of course!)

Francois qualified and then practised as a pharmacist for 18 years in his home town of Pretoria, before making the break to Stellenbosch and turning a passionate hobby into an extremely successful career.

My father had a small farm with orchards and a small fruit brandy production. So I´ve been in contact with fruit brandies since I was a young boy.

Gerard works has over 20 years experience in liquors business. He worked for Marie Brizard Bordeaux, and is General Manager of Vedrenne in Nuits St Georges since 1995.

Gillian Ballance is wine director of the San Francisco—based PlumpJack Group, which operates seven restaurants, including PlumpJack Café and Jack Falstaff in San Francisco, and PlumpJack Café Squaw Valley Inn.

Ginny Malan has been in the wine industry for almost 7 years. She is predominantly a wine tutor and events manager and runs several wine courses, both consumer and WSET.

 Panzuto graduated in 1996 from the Hotel and Restaurant Management Institute (Instituto Profesionale Alberghiero di Stato) in his hometown of Naples, Italy. 

Distiller Halvor Heuch started his business as the only legal distiller in 1985. There is hardly anyone who has more knowledge about the Norwegian spirits in modern times.

Harriet Fear Davies became an IWSC judge as a result of winning the IWSC/Waitrose Wine Scholarship for excelling in the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in Wines and Spirits in January 2006.

  Heather is a freelance wine educator, writer and event organiser based in Surrey. 

Hugo Read is a wine writer and educator. He’s also the owner of the Italian wine specialist supplier, Viavino. He grew up in a wine family and his whole life has been steeped in wine.

Ian MacMillan, Master Blender with Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd has worked in the Whisky Industry for almost 40 years.

Ian Naudé’s winemaking career was a matter of happenstance. His father’s dairy farm included some vineyards, and to put them to use he began as an apprentice winemaker.

 As a freelance Wine Educator, Brand Ambassador, and Project Manager she has a colourful patchwork life that she enjoys every single day.

As well as buying for the Harvey Nichol’s operation, Ivan is also involved in writing, wine education , training, public events, judging and consultancy.

Soon after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Jack Whitaker joined the finance department of brewers Charrington & Co, the start of an enjoyable career in financial management in the drinks industry.

Jaclyn Stuart, co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Wine & Food Pairing, is a certified sommelier with accreditations from the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Wine & Spirits Education Trust...

 Founded Crystal Palace Vintners 35 years ago, currenty still owner and buyer.

 James King, the Texas Wine School

An authority on the Canadian wine market and wines, Janet Dorozynski has been studying about and working in and with the global wine industry for over fifteen years.

Jenna Chevigny is passionate about food and wine. With over 10 years in the business she has become a well known wine professional in the Los Angeles area.

Jennifer has been working in the food and beverage industries for over 20 years.

 Jenny has been a full judge at IWSC since 2012, after winning IWSC Associate Judge of the Year in 2011.

Certified Advanced Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez oversees The Grand Del Mar’s exciting wine collections and programs for its five dining venues, the gourmet shop and catering functions.

Wine journalist, author and judge, Jo Burzynska is one of New Zealand’s leading wine writers, penning one of the most widely read weekly wine columns as Wine Editor of the New Zealand Herald’s Viva magazine.

As a 13 year-old adolescent I helped myself to my father’s wine cellar - mostly Samos nectars - to entertain my friends. During my post-graduate training I maintained my own wine cellar of around 200 bottles.

  Joel Harrison is a drinks writer, commentator and strategic & creative consultant to the Scotch whisky industry, who aims to enliven the category to new and old consumers alike through a number of different avenues.

Johan is the Primary Production Director at Distell. He is responsible for farms; wine, spirit (brandy, whisky and liqueurs) and other raw material procurement; distillation, winemaking, cidermaking and blending activities.

John Barrett MD of Bristol Spirits Limited has judged for the IWSC for the last 15+ years specializing in Cognac and Rum.

John Freeland has been a lay judge since 1997. He gained a Ph.D. in high energy physics and went into the computer industry.

 John began his winemaking career at Petaluma winery in the late 70's whilst reading Geology at Adelaide University. 

Jukka has been involved with wine for the whole of his career, over 25 years. At the day time job Jukka is working as an Key Account Manager in Hartwa-Trade /Heineken in Finland.

Julian read Natural Sciences at Cambridge but spent most of his time enjoying life and drinking wine.

 The making (and drinking) of wine has been a serious private interest of Karen's for many years

Kate Webber is the wine director for the Webber Restaurant Group in Massachusetts, which includes the Gibbet Hill Grill, The Barn at Gibbet Hill, Scarlet Oak Tavern, and Fireside Catering.

 Katherine is a 2nd year Master of Wine Candidate who holds the WSET Diploma, is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators and is also a French Wine Scholar awarded by the French Wine Society.

A winemaker for over 25 years, Keith is currently the VP, Winemaking for Vincor International, Canada’s most award-winning wine company.

Kevin Erskine is the creator of The Scotch Blog one of the most highly regarded whisky social media sites.

Klaus Wurm is owner and master distiller of the „Maerkische Spezialitaetenbrennerei“ in Hagen, Germany.

Laura began her career in the trade at Corney & Barrow before a love for food and wine matching soon took a hold.

Laura graduated in and then spent several years gaining the qualifications needed to progress in a hospital career. She was appointed as a Consultant in Orthodontics in 1992.

In 1982, Laurent graduated as an Oenologist from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie de Montpellier. From 1982 to 1996 he worked in the wine trade in Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Germany and London.

As Owner/Winemaker at El Molino, Lily does a little bit of everything from winemaking to sales in partnership with her South African husband, Jon.

Since leaving the Press department of the French Embassy, Lilyane has been involved in the wine trade for over forty years, first as a lecturer for SOPEXA for some 25 years.

Linda Schmitt is a wine education professional with an extensive business and marketing background.

Linda Simpson was a successful futures and options trader in the City when her passion for wine blossomed.

Lindsay has for over 15 years been a wine educator and presenter, for the wine trade, educational bodies, consumers and corporate clients. She is currently studying for the Master of Wine examination.

 Currently: Export Director and Master Blender of Angus Dundee Distillers PLC. Selector of “Mackillop’s Choice” Independent Bottlings of Single Cask Single Malts.

Louis Lee has been Wine Educator for WSET L1 - L3 since 2003. He is an associate member of the Institute of Wine & Spirit and official educator of Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne BIVB.

Louise-Ann Grinstead's wine history spans 25 years as a South African Wine Educator, Wine Judge and Consultant and she is best known for specialising as a “wine tasting trainer” (SA and international wines).

Luciana Lynch: in the wine trade since 1966; director of major UK companies, writer and educator, and then managed her own importing, selling and consulting business, specialising in Italian wines.

Lucie has 10 years experience working in wine in both the on and off trade dealing with all quality levels of wine and also selling to multiple grocers.

27-year-old Mariano Braga is one of the most important Argentinean sommeliers.

 Marisa D’Vari is an international wine judge, fine wine writer, & educator in the MW program whose WSET Level 5 thesis was on “Marketing Wine to Millennials"

Bowery still loves the ever-humbling sport of blind tasting and is a regular participant at the annual California Wine Tasting Championships.

Mark Chandler is a 30 year veteran of the wine business and currently consults in wine marketing and association management.

Martine Nouet, Food and Spirits Writer, has a passion for all spirits and especially whisky. Born in Normandy, lives on Islay.

Matias is one a of the young leading talents on Argentinian wine industry. He is cook and sommelier, and is finishing the WSET Diploma.

Matt Walls started his career at St Martin Vintners, a small independent merchant in Brighton. 

Matthew started as a van driver in a wine shop in 1982 and since then he has worked in wine companies large and small in various capacities.

Michael A. Schaefer, CSW, CWE is the Senior Wine Educator for Approach Guides Wine. Michael, a graduate of the University of Oregon, holds both the Certified Specialist of Wine and the Certified Wine Educator...

Michael Flynn was named Wine and Beverage Director at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in September of 2007. Formerly, he served as wine director and sommelier for Kinkead’s in Washington, DC.

Michael has spent the better part of his life immersed in the wine industry.

Early days of a life with wine were spent in the family restaurant and specialist wine merchant business.

Micky Chan is an independent wine educator, connoisseur and consultant in the wine industry.

Mike Harrison is the Head Sommelier at one of the Hotel du Vins, he has been in the wine trade for 32 years, and is a well seasoned International Wine Judge and freelance consultant.

Monica has been in the trade since 2004 where she spent her first four years on the analytical and technical side of wines and spirits with Corkwise.

Monica holds the WSET Diploma since 1988 and although she passed the theory part of the MW in 1991, she never converted to a full pass in spite of being the eternal student.

Moonsong Bang is a qualified wine educator and connoisseur who has worked in the wine retail business for 10 years.

Neil's an experienced wine educator. He has provided tailor-made training programmes, courses & tastings for the wine trade, hospitality industry & consumers via his business - Grape Sense, for over a decade.

Neil Ridley, 37, is one of the UK’s new breed of passionate whisky writers and consultants to the drinks business.

Nick Room graduated from Bath University in 1981 with 2:1 Honours in Business Management. He has worked for four years with J Sainsbury, and had a short spell with Boots the Chemist.

Born in Cognac City and Master Blender for Cognac Frapin Grande Champagne 1er Cru since 1987 and run all over the world as an ambassador for Cognac Frapin.

Self-employed Wine Consultant. London, UK and France.

Paul joined the wine trade in 2001. He was awarded the WSET Champagne Scholarship in 2006 on his way to completing the WSET Diploma.

My interest in wine was first sparked over 25 years ago by a holiday in Burgundy. Burgundy will always be my first love but naturally I’ve other favourites too.

Having spent more than 25 years ‘in wine’, not literally! in varying roles, including as a buyer with Waitrose and Victoria Wine, I am currently the Sales Director - National Accounts for Boutinot Wines.

Paulo Brammer began his career in London beverage trade 10 years ago at Bank Aldwych and Just Saint James as head of bars.

Peter Marks, Vice President of Education for Constellation Wines US, is responsible for all wine education programs at CWUS and manages the wine education team – Constellation Academy of Wine.

Peter started in the trade in his teens, working in the cellars at Royal Ascot. He has since worked in the Spirits,Brewing and Wines sectors for global and national companies.

One of only 280 Masters of Wine in the world, Vintners Scholar, Conseiller d’Honneur to the Commanderie de Bordeaux and a former Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London, England.

 Rachel Nico Halpren is co-founder of Drinkoftheweek.com, one of the first websites dedicated to spirits and cocktails. 

Nederburg cellarmaster since 2001, Razvan Macici was born in Romania and raised in a family of winemakers. He holds a masters degree in viticulture and oenology from the University of IASI-Romania.

Rebecca's passion for wine evolved from her graduate studies in anthropology and a fascination with material culture. She is drawn to wine as a by-product of the culture that both produces and consumes it.

 Founder and Member of the Board of Directors of The Sommelier Association of California and Former Vice President of The Sommelier Society of America.

Starting in the wines but later moved on to the stronger stuff to get a Bachelor degree in spirits: Liquorist.

Richard Paterson is one of the world's best-known Master Blenders, having travelled the globe extensively as an ambassador.

Richard Rowe joined leading South African alcoholic beverage producer, KWV, as chief winemaker in October 2008.

Robert started trading as an importer of Italian wines in 1974 under the name Imports from Tuscany. Clients included Oddbins, The Wine Society and Trinity College, Cambridge.

Ronald has been tasting, advising on and selecting wines for many years. He has judged for the IWSC since 1997.

Certified Sommelier; founder of wine edutainment company and key note wine speaker for fortune 500 companies; wine instructor at culinary institute.

Sally’s business encompasses a portfolio of activities focused on wine industry consultancy, trade and consumer education, including corporate events

 Steve Beal, of San Francisco, is the senior brand educator for the whisky portfolio of Diageo North America.

Steve has been involved with the IWSC since completing the IWSC diploma in 2003. He is a lay judge and part time wine educator passionate about demystifying the wine world for consumers and clients alike.

Stuart Gilbert is a Sydney born and based 1984 Olympic Yachtsman, 8 times World Champion Windsurfer and rum enthusiast who has travelled the world windsurfing and sailing in various world competitions.

Swedish Master Blender Thomas Kuuttanen is specializing in craft distillation and small batch blending producing a variety of spirits including whisky, vodka, aquavit and bitters. 

Joined Direct Wines in 1997, having been in the wine business full time since 1984. Picked up the wine bug after picking grapes in Cognac as a student, then as a van driver and cellarman for a small André Simon wine shop.

 Tim Triptree joined Christie’s London Wine department in 2005 after graduating with a Distinction in the Wine Business Management MBA at the Business School of the Royal Agricultural College.

Ulrich is a winemaker with 15 years international experience having worked in England, Germany, Spain, France and California.

 Vili Galabova is among the most experienced Bulgarian wine experts. She is co-founders and is CEO of the Bulgarian Wine Academy.

As the Director of Rémy Martin Estates & Oenology, Vincent Géré is ultimately responsible for all the cognacs made by the company: their supply, their production and their style.

Vivienne has been a wine educator for the last 12 years. She runs WSET Courses for the Trade, and Consumer Courses and Tastings for Aspects of Wine, The Wine Education Service and King’s College, London.

Vladimir fell in love with wine when he came to Cape Town in 1992. He was captivated by the aura and mystique of the wine culture, which resulted in completing the Diploma course at Cape Wine Academy.

Warren was born in Chicago, Illinois. A true pioneer of Napa, Warren Winiarski arrived in the valley in 1964 set on becoming a winemaker.

With experience in many of the world’s finest wine growing regions including Champagne, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and California and knowledge of all aspects of he wine business

Vineyard owner and winemaker in the UK since 1990, specialising in organic and natural winemaking, Will trained in Australia and has worked in France and California as well as a few years in the UK wine trade. 

Winnie developed an interest in wine during her student days at Stellenbosch and later through frequent travels to international winegrowing areas.