Category Archives: Judge news

Virginia Willcock – Chief Winemaker – Vasse Felix As a teenager, Virginia saw the happiness and joy wine brought to her parents and their friends after a hard day’s work in their small vineyard. It was here she decided winemaking … Continue reading →

Sam Rush – Assistant Winemaker at Pipers Brook Vineyard. Born and raised in Sydney, Sam’s winemaking journey started almost a decade ago while studying Forensic Chemistry. With a science background, he was drawn to the creativity of the wine industry through … Continue reading →

Leanne Altmann is a sommelier and wine communicator based in Melbourne, Australia. A 2009 Len Evans scholar and perpetual student of wine, Leanne holds the WSET Diploma, where she was the top Australian graduate, and the Court of Master Sommeliers … Continue reading →

Luke Joliffe – Chief Winemaker – Stella Bella Wines After completing a degree in Viticulture from Adelaide University in 1999, Luke joined Hardy’s Tintara in McLaren Vale. During this time, he also finished his Post Graduate degree in Oenology which … Continue reading →

Shanteh Wale – Sommelier, Writer and Host Shanteh cut her teeth as a Sommelier and Head Sommelier at Quay Restaurant where she worked for over a decade.  She has been nominated three times for the Good Food Guide’s ‘Sommelier of … Continue reading →

Yael Sandler is the Assistant Winemaker at Josef Chromy Wines.  She graduated from the University of Adelaide with a master’s degree in Oenology, holds the prestigious WSET level 4 Diploma, and is also a WSET certified educator. Early in her … Continue reading →

Adam Wadewitz, Joint CEO and Chief Winemaker, Shaw + Smith Adam Wadewitz is a University of Adelaide oenology graduate and has worked in the Adelaide Hills, Werribee, McLaren Vale, the Hunter Valley plus stints in France, Chile and the USA. … Continue reading →

Sebastian Crowther MS – Director – Real Wines, Melbourne Sebastian has spent more than 15 years immersed in the world of wine. After traveling the world over as a child, Sebastian grew a deep fascination for geography and history, through … Continue reading →