Speakers
International Speakers
Andrew Jefford
Andrew is a columnist for Decanter and The World of Fine Wine, as well as the author of the award-winning The New France and Peat Smoke and Spirit – A Portrait of Islay and its Whiskies. His blog is online at www.andrewjefford.com. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide, and winewriter in residence to the Wine 2030 Research Network.
Doug Bell
A graduate of University of Georgia, Doug got his start in the wine business while in college during holiday breaks. A job at Tower Package in Atlanta started his career before he moved on to Southern Wines and Harry's Farmers Markets as corporate wine buyer. In 2002, Whole Foods Markets purchased Harry's and Doug is currently a Global wine buyer for Whole Foods Markets, and on the Global Purchasing team.
Evan Goldstein MS
In 1987 Evan became the youngest ever (at the time) to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier examination and continues to examine candidates globally for the Court of Master Sommeliers as a Founding Board member. Goldstein is President of Full Circle Wine Solutions, a global wine education company, and author of the critically acclaimed book, Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier's Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food. His new book, Daring Pairings: A Master Sommelier Matches Distinctive Wines with Recipes from His Favorite Chefs, will be out in Spring of 2010.
James Halliday
James is an award winning Australian wine writer, national and international judge, and a winemaker since 1973. He has written 60 books on wine over the last three decades, including the annual Australian Wine Companion to be found on www.winecompanion.com.au. He received the Maurice O’Shea Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry in 1995 and was Chairman of Wine Australia in ’98, ’00 and ’02.
Jamie Goode
A London-based winewriter, Jamie's first book, Wine Science, won the Glenfiddich Award for Drinks Book and has met with critical acclaim. Also an established wine judge, he has made numerous presentations and conducted many tastings. His international reputation and online presence has grown through www.wineanorak.com
Kevin Roberts
Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, Kevin is a passionate advocate for New Zealand. He has authored three groundbreaking books including Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands.
Leslie Sbrocco
A respected international judge and award-winning author, speaker, consultant and television host, Leslie’s entertaining approach makes learning about wine and food fun.
Matthew Jukes
Matthew was named in a wine trade survey of UK retailers as the wine writer with the most influence over their customers. He is the founder and patron of Touch Wine raising money for the homeless around the world.
Max Allen
Max is an award winning Australian wine columnist and author. He is chief judge at the Australian Organic Wine Show – www.organicwineshow.com.au – and publisher of the online guide to biodynamics in Australian vineyards – www.redwhiteandgreen.com.au
Neal Martin
Neal is responsible for reviewing New Zealand wine within Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and associated website www.erobertparker.com. He has also authored www.winejournal.com which grew to 100,000 readers and was wine buyer for JAL for 10 years.
Nick Stock
Nick Stock’s involvement in wine stretches well beyond writing to wine show judging, educating, broadcasting and winemaking. His frank and fearless style has made him one of the most popular and widely read Australian wine writers.
Oz Clarke
One of the world’s leading wine experts, Oz’s formidable reputation is based on his extensive wine knowledge and accessible, no-nonsense approach. Acknowledged as having one of the finest palates of anyone writing about wine today, he brings a refreshingly unorthodox wit and directness to the subject. He has won major wine writing awards in the UK and USA, including the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition International Drinks Communicator of the Year Award. His TV shows are screened all round the world, including his latest – Oz and James’ Big Wine Adventure.
Patrick McGrath MW
Patrick's career began with Victoria Wine over 25 years ago, firstly in shops then in the buying department. He has worked as Marketing Controller for Mentzendorff and then Director for Bollinger Champagne. Patrick passed the MW exam in 1993 and the following year was part of the team that set up Hatch Mansfield where he was appointed the Managing Director.
Simon Tam
In 2007 Simon was voted “The Best Wine Consultant” in UK’s Wine Business International magazine. A highly specialised cross cultural consultant to the wine industry. Simon brings ‘the delicious West to the thirsty East’. His thorough understanding of the Chinese palate, makes him a vital link for wine producers seeking to establish themselves in the bourgeoning China market. He is a contributing columnist to 23 publications and websites. Spanning more than 20 years in the industry, Simon has a lifetime of wine experience stretching from the vineyard to the glass and beyond.
Ted Lemon
Ted was the first American ever selected as winemaker/vineyard manager of a Burgundian estate, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault. Upon returning to the United States, Ted has been consultant to a number of prominent North Coast wineries, and with wife Heidi, he founded Littorai Wines in 1993.
Tim Atkin MW
Tim is an internationally recognised wine writer and expert on wine. A wine correspondent of The Observer and Wine Editor at Large of OLN, he writes for various wine publications, as well as having authored and co-authored a number of books on the topic.
New Zealand Speakers and Panelists
Alastair Maling MW
Alastair is Group Winemaker for Villa Maria Estate and Chair of Pinot Noir 2010. In 2003, Decanter named Alastair one of the “five to watch” when describing the new generation of New Zealand’s winemakers.
Blair Walter
Blair is Winemaker for Felton Road where he has been since its inaugural vintage in 1997. Prior to Felton Road, Blair worked around the world in regions including New Zealand, Australia, California, Oregon and Burgundy. Deeply passionate and committed to the production (and enjoyment) of fine wine, Blair has led the Felton Road team to become one of the leading New World Pinot Noir producers, exporting to over 35 countries. In the afternoon he sails on Lake Dunstan.
Bob Campbell MW
The second New Zealander to hold the Master of Wine Qualification, Bob is an eminent and popular New Zealand wine writer and commentator.
Brian Bicknell
Owner and winemaker of Mahi wines in Marlborough, Brian has worked around the world, including several years at Vina Errázuriz in Chile.
Clive Weston
Managing Director of Negociants New Zealand, one of the country’s pre-eminent wine shippers and owners of Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, of which Clive is General Manager.
Helen Masters
Helen has been head winemaker at Ata Rangi Vineyard for the past five years. With a dedicated vineyard team and 30 year old vines that Ata Rangi founder Clive Paton hand planted on the Martinborough gravels in 1980, Helen says she feels like a pig in mud!
Jeremy Moon
Jeremy is Founder and CEO of adventure-wear exporter Icebreaker made from 100% New Zealand merino wool. Jeremy’s idea came after seeing a gap in outdoor clothing market for clothing made out of natural fibres and he built the brand Icebreaker to create this category. The company is market leader for merino outdoor clothing across 30 countries and has 8 offices around the world www.icebreaker.com.
John Belsham
John has had significant involvement in the development of the New Zealand wine industry over the past three decades. He is winemaker of Foxes Island, consultant and international wine judge.
Judy Finn
31 years ago Judy and partner Tim planted Neudorf Vineyards in Upper Moutere at the top of the South Island. Still actively involved in the business, Judy sits on several boards including Radio New Zealand and Pinot Noir 2010.
Kerry Prendergast
Kerry has been Mayor of Wellington since 2001, and from that time Wellington has been the host city for the Pinot Noir celebration. She plays a significant role in the planning and preparation as a member of the Pinot Noir 2010 Board.
Larry McKenna
After 15 years experience in Martinborough Larry and Sue McKenna established Escarpment Vineyard in 1998 with partners Robert & Mem Kirby. He is one of New Zealand’s most respected Pinot Noir producers, international wine judge and regularly represents New Zealand at international Pinot Noir forums.
Lynnette Hudson
Lynnette developed a passion for Pinot Noir early on in her winemaking career after working in Burgundy and Oregon. Lynnette now makes wine with her husband Matthew at Pegasus Bay Winery with her emphasis being on Pinot Noir.
Nick Mills
From Rippon in Wanaka, Nick is a happy winegrower who enjoys working with soils, vines, wines and all the life therein.
Nigel Greening
Born: Leeds UK. An early career as a failed blues guitarist was replaced with 25 years as a creative director. Working with such accounts as BMW, Porsche and British Airways Concorde has given Nigel a thorough grounding in luxury brand management. He turned down a role in the UK millennium celebrations (specialising in the millennium business was deemed a bit too long term) to come to New Zealand where he established Cornish Point Vineyard before purchasing Felton Road in 2000. Strengths: strategic lateral thinking, cooking, flyfishing. Weaknesses: short attention span.
Olly Masters
Previously winemaker at Ata Rangi Vineyard, Olly now has his own winery/vineyard consulting business, maintaining a consulting role with Ata Rangi. He also consults in two other Pinot Noir strongholds working with two South Island wineries – Seresin Estate and Misha’s Vineyard.
Patrick Materman
Patrick is the Regional Winemaker for Montana Brancott Winery in Marlborough. A former New Zealand Winemaker of the Year (Winestate 2001), Patrick leads a team of five winemakers and oversees Pernod Ricard’s South Island winemaking at the Montana Brancott Winery.
Steve Smith MW
Managing Director of Craggy Range Vineyards, Steve has an impressive academic background and is the world’s only specialist viticulturist who is a Master of Wine.
Tim Finn
Tim and his wife Judy established Neudorf Vineyards in 1978 and were among the group of pioneers who planted the first grapevines of the modern wine industry in the South Island. This contribution has continued with many years on the New Zealand Winegrowers Board, and currently as the Chairman of the Nelson Aromatics Symposium.