Warren Adamson (Speaker)

Warren Adamson has been entrenched in the New Zealand wine industry for over 16 years.  His career started within sales in Wellington for Villa Maria before he moved to the UK to manage the European Markets. Eventually Warren moved to head up the generic marketing campaign for New Zealand wines which he ran for 4 years. Finally the commercial pull of the wine business became too strong and Warren took a role with Craggy Range managing their Europe, Middle Eastern, African and South American markets.

Claire Allen (Speaker)

Claire Allan was born and raised in New Zealand on a South Island High Country farm growing sheep, cattle and deer. Wine became a personal interest as her father maintained a selection of wine from around the world on the table. At the time of leaving school the thought of wine as a career did not register.

After some years in the hospitality trade Claire went on to study wine in South Australia and moved into wine making. After moving back to New Zealand to make wine in Marlborough, Claire and winemaker husband Mike bought the first Huia vineyard land in 1990. They were drawn back to Marlborough by the exceptional wines being produced by the Marlborough
Region. After gaining further experience in Marlborough wineries and a stage in Champagne, Claire, Mike and two small children, started the family owned and operated Huia Wine Company in 1996.

Now Huia have 35 hectares under vine covering Sauvignon Blanc, three aromatic varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
All estate vineyards are certified Sustainable and are mid way through Bio Grow Organic/Bio Dynamic certification. All vineyards, the on-site winery and Wine Company are accredited Carbon Neutral. The small volume of grapes that are purchased are from accredited Sustainable Vineyards with most being in certification to Bio Grow Organics with the remainder moving into the organic program in the next few years. Wine quality is the focus.

Richard Amador Melendrez Flores (Speaker)

Mr. Flores’ was a toddler when he first experienced wine. It wasn’t from tasting wine from a “sippy-cup”, but from the aromas suspended in the air in the family winery. Mr. Flores is a descendent from two early American Frontier families that were farming wine grapes, making wine, and grape brand; generations before California was admitted to the United States. Those vineyards have since given way to Western Expansion, but the aromas experienced during his formative years continued to ferment. The Amador family continues to farm and produce wine in both Sonoma and Napa Counties in California, but during the turbulent times of 1960’s, Mr. Flores chose a different path. 

Mr. Flores’ academic path lead to advanced degrees from two California State Universities. His career required him to work and live in many locations throughout the United States. However, in 1990, Mr. Flores returned to California with a commitment to change his own life. He found himself at the beginning, in the vineyard and tasting rooms, but this time, armed with a wine glass.

During the mid 1990’s, a small group of winemakers gathered to discuss their mutual interests and ambitions. This was the beginning of ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers). Their first action was to hire an executive director; that director soon recruited Mr. Flores, first as a Board Member and then to became the first ZAP Consultant. It’s been more then 20 years. Now ZAP (a not-for-profit organization) has a membership of 300 producer members and 4,000 consumer members.

As the ZAP Senior Consultant, Mr. Flores coordinates the Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard Research Project (a collaboration of ZAP with the University of California, Davis, Department of Enology and Viticulture), the ZAP Heritage Zinfandel wine production, and, the ZAP International which presents California Zinfandel in the EU, Canada, and other foreign markets. Mr. Flores speaks regularly to professional and consumers groups on California Zinfandel Wine. He is also a member of the California Wine Institute, International Wine Export Program Committee.

Romain Audrie (Chair)

Being self-taught in wine, I dedicated my studies to my other passions: Politics, communication and humanities. After having graduated in Paris, I allowed myself to a six month sabbatical working trip to the UK in order to improve my English and get an experience in catering.

My passion for wine led me to develop myself swiftly until I took the decision to stay. A year and a half later, I became the Head Sommelier at The Savoy Grill for Marcus Wareing who was at that time part of the Gordon Ramsay Group. In December 2007, while the Savoy started its complete make-over, I flew to New York to work as a sale representative for a French Wine Importer.

The financial crisis in September 2008 made me take the decision to come back to the UK where I took part of the opening of Hotel du Vin Edinburgh. Until now I have been travelling and buying for the group (Piemont, Austria, Australia, Alsace). I succeeded in creating the best wine list I could ever think of: its focus is mainly on up-and-coming winery, new trends in winemaking and fashionable wine regions.

Annette Badenhorst (Speaker)

Annette Badenhorst was born in Pretoria, South Africa. After graduating with two degrees in Marketing Management at the University of Pretoria she specialised in managing advertising campaigns for companies in the financial sector. She moved to New York City where she substituted a banking products career for a life changing adventure in marketing a product that is far more interesting, at least tangible and foremost enjoyable - wine. For a number of years she worked with highly acclaimed South African wine importing company, Cape Classics in the US as regional marketing manager and back in South Africa as General Manager. She currently resides in Amsterdam where she manages the marketing strategy of Wines of South Africa for the BENELUX countries.

Maja Berthas (Speaker)

Born 1977 in Sundsvall, Sweden

1996-2000 Masters degree in the Science of Art at Linköping University
2001-2002 Sommelier edcucation at The Restaurant Academy in Stockholm
2003-2004 Worked as the Wine expert at Swedish TV Channel 4
2005-           Market Manager for Wines of South Africa Scandinavia

Owns her own company, Vin & Pralin i Sverige AB, since ten years. This is a consulting company that specialize in Chocolate and Wine Tastings.

Maja has also written two books: Svensk Chokladbok (Swedish book of Chocolate) and Sydafrika – ett magiskt vinland  (South Africa – a magical wine country) that has been awarded in both Sweden and Europe.

Su Birch (Speaker)

Su Birch is CEO of Wines of South Africa (WOSA), a position she has held since May 2000.

Su holds a BA Honours degree, from Stellenbosch, a teaching diploma and a MBA from UCT.

Prior to joining the wine industry she was involved in the marketing of deciduous fruit, first as MD of Fresh Concepts, then GM: Corporate Strategy at Unifruco and finally International Marketing Manager for Capespan.

In 2005 Su was awarded the Lanson Woman In Wine Trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. In 2006 the Cape Masters of Wine honoured Su as Wine Personality of the Year. In 2009 Su received the Drinks Business Woman of the Year Award in London.

Paul Brajkovichl (Speaker)

Looking for new ways to promote and market Kumeu River Wines is at the heart of Marketing Director, PaulBrajkovich’srole. With a strong background in sales and marketing and a Bachelor of Commerce, Paulhas been instrumental in securing Kumeu River’s place within the international market.

One of the great pleasures of his role (aside from the mandatory wine tasting!) is the satisfaction of receiving and organising the many large orders that come through each week. And of course, the excellent customer feedback and accolades that follow are a good measurement of how well the wines are being received.

Jeanette Bruwer (Speaker)

Thirteen years ago Jeanette Bruwer left her successful dental practice behind and moved back to her place of birth, Springfield Estate, outside Robertson in the Cape winelands. As fourth generation wine farmers and ninth generation descendants of the Bruères, French Huguenots who came to South Africa from the Loire in 1688 with bundles of vines under their arms, Jeanette and her brother Abrie share a deep rooted respect for Nature and her gifts.

The wines from Springfield Estate are known for their authentic expression of the unique terroir from which they grow. And for the Bruwer family, time and time-honoured practices distinguish their approach to winemaking.

Theirs is a brand defined by patience and passion for honest wines that have suffered minimal intervention from the vine to the bottle. Just as winemaker and viticulturist Abrie Bruwer guides the production process with uncompromising integrity and quality-driven focus, his sister and co-owner Jeanette exhibits the same old world dedication to quality in the marketing of their wines.

Each morning on the farm starts with Jeanette and Abrie walking the land, talking about what matters most to them. Wines are not named according to fashion or cutting edge market research. Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc is the minimum yield of a vine rooted in 70% quarts stone. Just as their Work of Time Bordeaux blend reflects the patience with which this wine came to fruition.

In a highly competitive industry that has seen great diversification and expansion over the past decade, Springfield’s approach is decidedly counter-mainstream. Mass mailing and a blanket approach to advertising are avoided. Rather, relationships are nurtured and family-style hospitality is extended to valued clients who visit the estate.

When Jeanette is not hosting visitors or visiting clients and attending wine events abroad, she is involved in every aspect of the production process, from driving a forklift to preparing the soil for new plantings. This reflects in her knowledge of the entire cycle and the care with which she represents the estate. As a family-run enterprise with complete control over every aspect of the process, Springfield Estate produces wines of consistently high quality. And as a marketer, Jeanette’s task is made lighter as every bottle of Springfield is a true ambassador for the farm.

Bernard Budel (Speaker)

After spending 5 years working in various sales roles for Villa Maria in New Zealand, Bernard Budel has now moved to London to represent Villa Maria in Europe. Aside from the travel on offer Bernard loves the chance to be exposed to the wines of the Old World, although his favourite wine is still from New Zealand, Esk Valley Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah.

Diego Callejas (Speaker)

- Economics with a specialization degree in Business Administration, at P.U.C. Santiago-Chile
- Master in Marketing, ICAI-ICADE, Barcelona-Spain
- Married with 2 sons (3 years and 7Months)

Involve with exports since the year 2000 when  started  working at PESCACHILE (PESCANOVA Group) which is the biggest fishing company in Latin-America, worked there as a Commercial Assistant in the process of exporting Sea products, specially Salmon to: Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

After PescaChile  was hired by VIÑA FRANCISCO DE AGUIRRE -CHILE- owns by CAPEL the largest Pisco (Chilean Brandy) producer,  where worked almost for 2 year as the Export Area Manger for the European and Asian Market. 

For more than 6 years he worked as the Export Manager North America & Asia and then as the Export Director for VIÑA VALDIVIESO.

After a short period in VIA WINES-CHILE as the Export  Director for Asia and North America, he has been working now as the Commercial Director of VIÑA TAMAYA for almost 3 years with full and direct responsibilities over the Domestic and Export Sales and Marketing among other responsibilities within the company

Mary Colhoun (Speaker)

Landmark’s roots stretch all the way back to 1838 and America’s heartland. It was in Grand Detour, Illinois of that year that John Deere invented the steel plow – an event that virtually revolutionized the business of agriculture. In 1989, John Deere’s great great granddaughter, Damaris Deere Ford, following the family tradition in agriculture, relocated Landmark Vineyards from Windsor to a spectacular piece of land at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Sonoma Valley, beginning yet another chapter in the family’s storied agricultural history.

In 1992, Damaris asked her son, Michael Deere Colhoun, and his wife, Mary, to move from the East Coast to help run the marketing, sales and operational components of the winery. Once settled, Michael set in motion a plan that would make the winery a true landmark.

As president of Landmark, Michael shared his mother’s drive and embraced the challenge to take Landmark’s collection of wines to a new level. One of his first actions was to recruit Mary to join him as an equal partner. He knew Mary’s graceful touch and her organizational skills would add the dimensions needed to fulfill his plans for Landmark. Together, they would work to build an approachable, world-class wine brand.

Michael worked in the winery every day, watching and learning each phase of an industry that was new to him. As his expertise grew, he realized there was no need to compete with every other winery by offering an alphabetical inventory of varietals. He reasoned that less would be better, but only if it resulted in excellent wines. Michael chose to concentrate on Chardonnay.

Mary directed her creative energy to developing a facility that would express a sophisticated lifestyle, but one within reach of everyone who enjoyed wine. She created the “Landmark look,” an understated elegance that reflects the Landmark style and which has resulted in one of the most charmingly inviting guest experiences in wine country.

In addition to overseeing Landmark’s hospitality program, Mary is in charge of the winery’s marketing and communications platforms. Under Mary’s direction, Landmark has achieved recognition as a benchmark winery, making some of the best wines in California.

Under the Colhoun’s guidance, Landmark Vineyards has grown from a little-known winery to world-class prominence. The degree to which the couple has achieved their goal for the winery is aptly summorized in quote from a recent article by James Laube in the Wine Spectator: “Since 1993, Landmark’s Chardonnays have been among the most exciting wines made in California, combining uniformly high quality with excellent value.”

David Cox (Speaker)

David Cox was appointed to the role of European Director for New Zealand Winegrowers in May 2009. NZW is the generic marketing and promotions industry body representing all the NZ wineries and growers in overseas markets. Prior to joining New Zealand Winegrowers, David was the Managing Director for USA-based Brown-Forman’s Wine operation in Europe for 14 years.

David had previously spent 10 years working in sales & distributor management and was Export Director at the wine & spirits group, Matthew Clark Plc., the firm having been originally founded by his great-great grandfather in 1810. He was the last Cox/Gordon Clark family member to leave Matthew Clark prior to its metamorphosis and subsequent sale to Constellation Brands.

Pancho Campo (Chair)

Pancho Campo is the first Spanish Master of Wine, and the founder and President of The Wine Academy of Spain. His special interest is climate change and he has trained in this field with Al Gore. Pancho initiated the World Conference on Climate Change and the WineFuture Conference in Rioja in November 2009.

Prof. Dr. Monika Christmann (Chair)

Prof. Dr. Monika Christmann is Head of the Department Oenology and Wine Technology at the Geisenheim Research Center in Germany. She also takes care of the Estate Winery of the Institute and gives oenology lectures in Geisenheim, at the universities in Gießen and Bonn.

At university Monika accomplished her M.Sc. in Oenology, created a PhD program in Geisenheim at the department for Wine Chemistry and Beverage Research and finished with her Doctor in Agricultural Sciences at the Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen.

She was also Quality Control and R&D Manager at the Sichel Winery in Alzey and Laboratory Director and Member of Winemaking Teams  at the SIMI Winery in Healdsburg/California. Since 1995 she is lecturing in continuing professional programs in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Finland. In the same year she became the German Delegate at the OIV (International Organisation for Vine and Wine) in Paris and in 2009 President of the OIV Oenology Commission. She is Member of the Board of Directors of the Geisenheim Research Institute and lectures for the Euro-Masters program ‘Vinifera’ in Montpellier

Jerry Comfort (Speaker)

Jerry Comfort is responsible for creating and executing wine and food education programs for Fosters Wine Estates sales and marketing teams, the winery sites, trade customers, press, and consumers.

In preparation for this position, Jerry has been Culinary Director of Beringer Blass Wine Estates, overseeing Chateau Souverain’s hospitality and restaurant, Beringer’s Culinary Arts Center and private dining facility, the Hudson House, and other culinary programs within the company and around the world. Jerry is an instructor at Beringer’s “Master Series” school and has been a guest instructor at hotel and restaurant schools such as the Culinary Institute of America in New York and Napa Valley, L’Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne and the Napa Valley Professional Culinary school. Jerry has conducted food and wine seminars internationally at such events as Viniexpo in Finland, Prowein in Germany, Vinexpo in Tokyo, and the Gourmet Summit in Singapore. These seminars also often include training staff at restaurants and hotels, including Singapore’s Raffels, Bangkok’s Peninsula, Ritz Carlton and Renaissance hotels around the world.

Since joining Beringer Vineyards as executive chef in 1991, Jerry has explored the relationship between wine and food. Jerry has used his culinary background and wine education to research and demonstrate how wine and food react when tasted with each other. This approach brings a measure of objectivity to a subject often dominated by subjective “expert” opinions and outdated traditions. This resulted in the FWEA wine and food pairing philosophy “Wine & Food in Balance”.

In 2003, Jerry produced the definitive guide to cheese and wine pairing “The Progressive Wine and Cheese Pairing Wheel”. In 2004 Jerry produced the wine and food in balance tool, the “Progressive Food Menu”.
Jerry is a CWE-Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators, he has also achieved the WSET advanced certification with Merit and completed the Court of Master Sommelier, Master Sommelier Level 1 course.

Jerry’s experience before coming to Beringer included opening Executive chef at Checkers hotel and restaurant in Los Angeles. Under Jerry’s tenure, Checkers was named one of the top 10 restaurants in the nation by Esquire magazine and received a four-star rating from the Los Angeles Times. Jerry was chef de cuisine under executive chef Philippe Jeanty at Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon restaurant, sous chef at Jeremiah Tower’s Stars in San Francisco, sous chef saucier under executive chef Masa Kobayashi at Masa’s in San Francisco & as sous chef at Fournou’s Ovens in SF’s five-star Stanford Court Hotel.

Sebastian De Martino (Speaker)

Sebastián De Martino was born and raised in the heartland of Chile's wine producing areas, the Maipo Valley. He is fourth generation of one of the most reknown family owned and run wineries in Chile: De Martino. Sebastián has witnessed and contributed together with his family and production team to reinventing the Chilean wine growing map by expanding it`s boundaries. De Martino was the first winery to bottle and produce a Carmenere back in 1996, since that date the family has taken as a personal challenge "to produce world class wine from Carmenere".

Heather de Savoye (Speaker)

Heather de Savoye brings vitality, passion and extensive knowledge to her role as president of sales for Rubicon Estate.  Having been an integral part of Rubicon Estate’s dedicated team of wine professionals for 5 years, de Savoye has been overseeing the legendary estate’s international wine program since 2006. 

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, de Savoye’s passion for languages began in her childhood.  Having masted French and English during her early years, she later graduated from Japan’s Sendai Ikuei Gakuen with a Japanese language diploma before receiving a B.A. in Art History from the University of British Columbia in 1996.  While de Savoye explored Asia and beyond, she soon acquired a global appreciation for fine wine and art, which led to the beginnings of her early career.  de Savoye worked in New York’s Museum of Modern Art in the Painting and Sculpture department before landing a job with Christie’s International, the world’s leading fine arts and wine auctioneers, where she assisted in the Japanese, Indian and Southeast Asian art departments.  But it was at Christie’s where she began to develop a passion for premium wines, intrigued by the rare wine bottles that she caught glimpses of in the adjacent fine wine division.  With the help of her fellow colleagues she quickly became immersed in the wine industry and took the opportunity to acquire an appreciation of fine wines, perfecting her palate with wines from around the world.      

In 2002, de Savoye decided to put her wine knowledge to work, accepting a position with Italy’s famed Badia a Coltibuono winery, honing her winemaking skills while apprenticing under the Chianti Classico producer’s consulting oenologist, Luca d’Attoma.  Her keen admiration for the respected trade provided her with the expertise to advance to the next phase of her career. After returning to her native Canada, de Savoye joined The Trialto Group where she spearheaded the premium wine group’s sales and marketing efforts and integration into the Canadian marketplace.  Elevating her wine knowledge, de Savoye worked in her spare time to achieve a diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in 2005, the highest award the organization grants.

Eager to further pursue her education in the wine industry, de Savoye returned to school once more and in 2006 received an M.B.A. in Wine Marketing and Management from the highly renowned INSEEC in Bordeaux, France.   

Joining both Rubicon Estate and Francis Ford Coppola Winery in 2006, de Savoye previously held the title of Export Manager and Export Director before being promoted to President of Sales for Rubicon Estate, which she currently holds, overseeing the historic winery’s international portfolio and ensuring that the legacy of Rubicon Estate, America’s Grand Wine Estate founded in 1880, continues today.  Aside from managing the marketing and sales of Rubicon Estate’s wines in the global marketplace, de Savoye also finds time to lend support to some of the top wine organizations in the world, liasing regularly with industry associations such as the Napa Valley Vintners and the California Wine Institute. 

Lorna Evans (Speaker)

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland it seems only right that Lorna should be working at Auntsfield Estate, the home of Marlborough’s first vineyard where Scotsman David Herd planted vines in 1873.

Drawing from an administration background in banking and education, Lorna moved to Marlborough in the late 1990’s to accept a position at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology  working with both the Diploma in Viticulture and the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology programmes.  Her passion for wine subsequently led to a role in the wine industry almost 10 years ago.

Lorna has been employed as Sales and Business Manager for Auntsfield Estate for the last four years and during this time has opened and developed new markets worldwide including Brazil, China, Poland, Russia, Italy and Malaysia to name a few.

Lorna is proud to be part of the family owned and run Company.  “Our philosophy is to produce wine of uncompromised quality from grapes grown at Auntsfield Estate. The resulting wines are distinctive and reflect the passion and dedication that exists within the family members who work the land and make the wine.”

Now a mother of two adult children with four grandchildren, Lorna believes the saying is right “wine does improve with age – the older I get the more I like it!”

Sarah Fogarty (Speaker)

A Graduate of University of Waikato, with Hons in International Marketing and Tourism. Sara has spent the past  10 years in the industry with various Sales and Marketing roles, the last two years with Man O' War Vineyards, Waiheke Island,  taking their brand to the New Zealand and International markets.

Annemarie Foidl (Chair)

Annemarie Foidl was born 1967 in Kitzbühel. She started in 1989 as youngest host of Austria her own business Angerer Alm in St. Johann in Tirol.1999 awarded as best host of Austria.

At Angerer Alm the oldest wine is vintage 1795. She currently holds the position of Vice President of the Tiroler Sommelierverband, since 1992 and President of the Austrian Sommelier Association since 2008. ( Austrian Sommelier Association has 1600 members).

Since 2010 she has been the chairman of the ASI Didactic Commission and is a member of the jury at the Competitions of ASI for the best Sommelier of the world and best Sommelier of Europe.

She has completed special training in spirits, coffee, soft drinks and cheese. As well as life learning experience she has travelled to a large number of the wine regions around the world. Her main focus is lecturing and training of Sommeliers and being an evaluator for Sommeliers Competitions.

Christina Fischer (Chair)

Linsey Gallagher (Speaker)

Linsey Gallagher joined Wine Institute of California in the new position of Director of International Marketing in November 2008. Gallagher, an Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, brings a diverse marketing and management background to the role. She gained wine industry experience as Marketing Manager for E. & J. Gallo Winery, responsible for marketing strategy and brand execution for Gallo Family Vineyards as well as Australian (Black Swan) and Italian (Bella Sera) imports. Prior to this, Gallagher was Manager of Finance for the NBC Today Show and a Financial Analyst for General Electric Capital Services. In her position with Wine Institute, she is responsible for overseeing the organization’s marketing programs in more than 25 countries, directly supervising five international regional directors and ensuring continued state and federal support for Wine Institute’s export programs.

• MA (Master of Arts) in Economics, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgique
• Licenciada en Ciencias Económicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España
• Ingeniería Comercial, Licenciada en Ciencias Económicas, Universidad de Chile

Professional Experience

For 6 years, she was part of the Chilean Negotiation Team for Free Trade Agreements (USA, EU, EFTA, Canada, Mexico) first as agricultural negotiator for the Intellectual Property Chapter and Geographical Indications. Then she took the responsibility of the negotiations on Wine Agreements that included UE Wine Agreement for Oenological Practices and Intellectual Property (trademarks and GI) and the Mutual Acceptance of Oenological Practices in the New World Wine Producers Group (now World Wine Trade Group) Agreement.  She also was the chief negotiator in the Chapter of Intellectual Property with the EU and EFTA Agreements.

After three years in the Santiago Chamber of Commerce as Manager for International Business she assumed as General Manager of Vinnova S.A., the Technological and Business Consortium for Wine and Vine, formed by Viñas de Chile, Catholic University and University of Concepción. This is a new private company created for the development of innovation projects in the wine industry that includes technological management of the projects by leading joint groups of vineyards and researchers and with an initial subsidy of the Innovation Promotion Agency of Chilean Government. This company needs to produce incomes through patents, and new products or services together with technology transfer policies.

In 2007 after the merge of the two vineyards association established in Chile she was designated as General Manager of the second Consortium, Tecnovid, formed by Chilevid with the University of Chile, University of Talca, Federico Santa Maria University, CCV and Toneleria Nacional.

Today is leading 25 research projects with a team of 78 researchers in 5 universities and working with 89 vineyards.

Gustavo Gonzalez (Speaker)

Gustavo Gonzalez is Robert Mondavi Winery’s Winemaker for all red varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, as well as Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis. His responsibilities begin with assessing grape maturity in the vineyard and continue through fermentation, aging, blending and bottling. During his thirteen years of production experience at Robert Mondavi Winery, he has been winemaker for red varieties (2003–present), assistant winemaker for Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc (2003–2004), Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis (1999 – present), enologist (1999–2003) and master laboratory technician (1995–1999).

In 2001, Gustavo spent a year as a consulting Winemaker at Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia in Bolgheri, Italy, where he produced the award-winning 2001 Masseto. In conjunction with the Ornellaia winemaker and Michel Rolland, he was responsible for all aspects of winemaking, including setting up a laboratory and establishing a quality control program.
Gustavo, a proud Californian from Sacramento, was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and Davis. Though his primary fields of study were chemistry and economics, he pursued coursework in many other fields, including enology. He enjoys music and travel, and his language skills—Italian, Spanish, French and German—have proved a valuable asset in the international field of winemaking.

Hein Koegelenberg is both the CEO of La Motte, a premium South African wine brand, and Leopard’s Leap Wines, an upmarket retail wine brand. Both wines are sold internationally to great acclaim. In addition to his CEO role Hein holds several leadership roles in the South African wine and wine tourism industries.

Born in Laingsburg in South Africa’s Karoo region in 1960, Hein earned himself qualifications in winemaking from the respected Cape Institute for Agriculture Training at Elsenburg at Stellenbosch University in the Cape Winelands.

Embarking on his career as winemaker in 1984 at Spier Wine Estate, Koegelenberg later joined Windmeul Cellar in Paarl, moving through the ranks from Assistant Winemaker to Chief Winemaker and ultimately CEO of the co-operative winery before becoming CEO of La Motte in 1998.

In 1999 he formed Leopard’s Leap Wine in collaboration with his late father-in-law, the internationally respected industrialist and conservationist Dr Anton Rupert. Under Hein's management, Leopard's Leap has become a global brand known for its support of conservation efforts to protect the Cape Mountain leopard.

In addition to his work at La Motte and Leopard’s Leap, Hein was also behind the creation of Meridian Wine Merchants, one of the foremost wine marketing and sales companies in South Africa, and Historic Wines of the Cape, a logistic wine company serving some of South Africa's best wines. He is also involved in the Cape Wine Academy, South Africa’s leading wine education body.

After graduating from university David became a Merchant Banker at Lazard Bros, London. He soon recognized that wine was much more interesting &  changed career path in 1984, moving to Christopher’s, London’s oldest wine merchants at the time.

David then went on to join the SEDGV wine group in Burgundy as Export Manager. Whilst at SEDGV he became increasingly active within the wine trade, organizing several Burgundy village tastings for Decanter, joining their judging panel and reporting on the Burgundy harvest for the magazine. He also had a monthly column in Wine & Spirits Japan.

David then moved to Laroche and took on the role of Sales/Marketing Director before becoming a Managing Director, and was a regular international speaker on Chablis

In 1999, David was offered the position of Export Director and consultant to Spier, a South Africa wine company. At this time he also worked as export consultant to Gerard Bertrand.

David now works for the well known Carmenere & Chile producer, Viña Casa Silva, having set up most of their export markets in the USA, Canada and Europe as well as being a general advisor to the Silva family. He currently runs their European operation.

He studied Agronomic Engineer at “Universidad Católica de Chile” from 1995 to 2000 and studied Master in Business Administration (MBA) at ESMA – GIRONA University in Barcelona, SPAIN from 2001 to 2002.

• Fundación Chile during 2000 (agricultural research for the APEC).
• Oliver Rodes Laboratory in Barcelona SPAIN in the Commercial Department from 2002-03.
• La Preferida, Chile from 2004-August 2005: Assistant of the General Manager.
• EMILIANA VINEYARD in 2005 as an export manager in charge of EUROPE.

In 2008 he became Commercial Manager in charge of all the sales and marketing operations in EMILIANA VINEYARD.

Commercially with 11 years of experience, but with a strong education in agronomy he has led the transformation in sales from a conventional to an organic Company.

Currently EMILIANA is leader in the sustainable production of quality wines and a pioneer in Chile and Latin America in the organic and Biodynamic wine production selling more than 300.000 cases organic certified and having almost 900 ha fully certified.

Francois Malan (Speaker)

Francois Malan grew up with his two brothers on the Simonsig Wine Estate and currently lives in the same manor house where this family business was established by his father more than 40 years ago.  Simonsig is situated in the wine region of Stellenbosch.

He then proceeded to study Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch and attained his honours degree in Viticulture.  He then joined the family business where he took responsibility for the planning and planting of the new vineyard developments.  He was also responsible for the day to day management of the Estate existing 210 hectares of vineyards.

The replanting programme encompassed the selection of the right cultivars and planting them in the best suited areas taking the types of soils and location into account.  He experimented with the different clones, trellis systems and irrigation methods.

Francois is also responsible for the welfare of the 260 people living on this family owned Estate.  He is the driving force in establishing better working and living conditions for the whole community.  Simonsig is leading the way in the South Africa wine industry and is often held out as an example for good Corporate Social Responsibility.

Over the years he served within the Agricultural industry on boards and committees and is currently Chairman of the Stellenbosch irrigation Board and the Cape Agriculture Employers Organisation.

Francois became Managing Director of Simonsig Wine Estate in 2005.  He is married to Antoinette and has three children (1 daughter and 2 sons).  His hobbies include cycling, golf and he is also an amateur artist.

Jürgen Mathäß (Chair)

Jürgen Mathäß achieved a Masters degree in economics at the Frankfurt University. In 1982 he started writing about wine and in 1986 became editor in chief for “Weinwirtschaft”, the leading German wine magazine for professionals. In 1993 he became an independent wine writer (magazines, books, newspapers) and is well known for his expertise on wines from Spain, Germany and South America. Today he publishes for Weinwelt, Gault Millau Weinguide, Weinwirtschaft, Wine Business International and other newspaper columns.

Alessandro Marchesan (Chair)

Started his career in the wine and food industry in his hometown near Venice to then move to London and work at Kensington Place in Notting Hill where his passion for wine exploded.

In 2003 he won the Dan Pontefix Award and travelled Australia working in different winery and restaurant around the country. He joined Zuma in 2003 as Sommelier and developed his position to Group Sommelier and wine buyer for all Zuma and Roka operations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. in 2006 he was awarded Harpers and Queen UK Sommelier of the year.

He is also co-owner and winemaker of Mas La Mola, a winery in Priorat/ Spain that he started in 2005 with his friend Jordi Masdeu.

Bruwer Raats (Speaker)

Award-winning winemaker Bruwer Raats has received international and local acclaim during his highly acclaimed career as cellar master and viticulturist par excellence.   Bruwer established Raats Family Wines in 2000, acquired his own vineyard and created a home for Raats Family Wines in 2004.

Raats Family Wines have already earned a stellar reputation internationally as a New World leader in the production of these varietals and regularly receive positive write-ups by esteemed wine reviewers such as Olly Smith, Matthew Jukes, Tim Atkins, James Molesworth and Jancis Robinson in definitive publications such as Decanter, Wine Spectator, The Observer, Daily Mail and New York Times.

The Raats Family Wines label focuses on his two specialities, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  Raats is passionate about these two single varietals and firmly believes that South African winemakers are sitting on an untapped goldmine when it comes to Chenin Blanc.

In 2009, the 2008 Raats Original Chenin Blanc was selected by wine critic James Molesworth as one of the top 15 value wines from South Africa in the February edition of Wine Spectator Online.  In the June 2009 issue, Harpers Wine & Spirit turned the spotlight onto South African wines and the tasting panel included the 2008 Raats Chenin Blanc amongst their top selection of local Chenin Blancs.

Luzia Schrampf (Speaker)

Luzia Schrampf is a freelance journalist, specialized in the wine industry in every context (lifestyle, economic, research). She is a holder of the Diploma of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London (2003), has a regular column on wine and reports for the Austrian daily paper "Der Standard" (circulation 397.000), is contributing on a regular basis to the Austrian wine magazine 'wein.pur' (circulation 40.000) and the Gault Millau wine guide. She gives wine presentations in English and German and is frequently called upon as judge. She is author of "Weinmacher" (Agrarverlag); co-author of Klaus Egles "Der österreichische Wein" (Pichler Verlag) and together with Florian Holzer and Markus Groll of "Die 50 größten Weinlügen" (Krenn-Verlag). She also writes for 'Wienerin kocht', 'Diva', and on an international level, for 'Fine - Das Weinmagazin' (Germany), 'World of Fine Wine' (London), 'Süddeutsche Zeitung' (Germany).

Claudia Schug Schuetz (Speaker)

For Claudia Schug Schuetz, the wine business is an international family affair! A native Californian, she grew up in a winemaking family with German roots. Her father, Walter Schug, was born and raised on the Pinot-Noir estate Staatsweingut Assmannshausen in the Rheingau and graduated from Geisenheim with a degree in viticulture and enology. Claudia’s mother grew up in a winemaking family in the Pfalz.

A bilingual dual-national, Claudia has enjoyed the best of the “new” and the “old” worlds. She grew up in the Napa Valley, immersed in the fast-changing and flourishing California wine industry where her father played an influential role as Joseph Phelps’ founding winemaker. During school breaks, Claudia helped her parents establish Schug Carneros Estate Winery. Still family-owned and run today, SCHUG is recognized as a pioneering producer of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

After earning a degree in Economics at Stanford University, Claudia worked in San Francisco before returning to her familial roots in Germany. There she established Schuetz Weinimport and began importing and distributing her family’s wines. She also introduced other California wines, such as Eberle, Buehler, Cartlidge & Browne, Trefethen and R.H. Phillips, to the German market.

Today, German distribution is handled by longtime colleague Pacific Wine Company while Claudia is focused on promoting SCHUG in Europe and freelancing as an educator and consultant. In 2009 she was awarded the WSET Level 5 Diploma in Wine and Spirits and is now working towards the Master of Wine qualification. She is a supporting member of the German sommelier club and judges regularly at international wine competitions.

Camille Seghesio (Speaker)

Camille Seghesio, granddaughter of Edoardo and Angela Seghesio, began managing the winery’s export markets in February 2002.

Upon departing for college at Georgetown University, it was clear that Camille would not soon return to the Home Ranch where she was raised . . . She studied political science and languages. She achieved her Masters in Economics from Stanford and went on to work for Salomon Brothers in New York. Eager to continue her education, she received her MBA from the University of Chicago. Upon graduation, Camille worked for Goldman Sachs in their London equities division. In 1999, Camille began serving on the winery’s Board of Directors and reacquainted herself with the family business. By 2002, export markets were expanding and changes in the European distribution network created a need for a manager. Camille’s international experience made her a great choice and, conversely, she states, “my dream has always been to work for the family handling the export markets.”

Camille shares her family’s passion for the wine industry and her dedicated work has brought Seghesio wines to nearly 40 countries. Today, Camille directs exports and enjoys traveling on behalf of the family to numerous wine events. And, as of Summer 2007, we are delighted to have her once again call Sonoma County home.

Lynne Sherriff (Speaker)

Following a life in hotel-keeping, I studied Winemaking in Stellenbosch, Germany and Bordeaux. I hold a South African Cape Wine Masters (CWM) qualification, and was a former director of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Academy. I was one of the first two South Africans to earn the MW qualification, in 1993.

From 1992 – 2000 I was the Commercial Director for Vinfruco, importing South African wines such as Arniston Bay and distributing throughout Europe.

In 2000 I established my own wine consultancy company, working with clients from single vineyards to multinational companies in Europe, Australia and South Africa. I advise on various issues ranging from production to wine styles, labelling and marketing globally. I speak 4 languages: English, French, Dutch and German, and am currently studying Japanese and Spanish. Currently I am the acting chairman for the Institute of the Masters of Wine.

Cooking is not my strong point – that is my husband’s domain!

Second love after wine – travel.

Joan A Somavia(Speaker)

Mr. Juan A. Somavia has been Managing Director of Wines of Chile (www.winesofchile.org) since February 2008. Wines of Chile is the promotional arm of Vinos de Chile (www.vinosdechile.cl), the Trade Organization that represents the Chilean wine industry, with over 100 member wineries representing 95% of Chilean wine exports. The organization is committed to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine throughout the world, with the vision of becoming the number one producer of sustainable and diverse premium wines from the New World by 2020, reaching exports of bottled wines of US$ 3 billion. WoC has offices in Santiago, London, and New York, as well as representatives in Canada, Europe, Brazil and Asia. WoC also works closely with ProChile to develop and offer promotional and educational programs in other relevant markets.

Prior to this position, Mr. Somavía was Director of ProChile New York since April 2002. The Chilean Trade Commission is an agency within the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization's role is to support and advance Chilean business interests in the global marketplace by assisting in the development of the export process. Mr. Somavía was active in establishing international business relationships, fostering the exchange of goods and services, attracting foreign investment and building strategic alliances. Under his leadership, ProChile New York served as a source of market research, international trade data and leads for the export industry for both foreign and Chilean firms alike.

Mr. Somavía was also Head of the European Economic Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chile from September 1998 to March 2002. He was an active member of the team that successfully negotiated a Free Trade Agreement between Chile and the European Union concluded in April 2002.  There he held the responsibility to coordinate the negotiations of 17 technical groups and to maintain direct contacts with the European Commission. Also was adjunct negotiator of the EU-Chile Wine Agreement and Head of Delegation to the New World Wine Producers Group.

Mr. Somavía is a recipient of the Fulbright and Presidente de la República Scholarships, both from 1996 to1998.  He was selected one of Chile’s 50 Young Leaders by Revista el Sábado – El Mercurio in June 2005. He received his Master of International Affairs (International Economic Policy) from Columbia University (New York, USA) in 1998 and his BA in Business Administration and Economics from Universidad Católica de Chile, School of Business and Economics, in 1994. He has a strong background in international marketing, finance, international trade and corporate relations.

Christian Sotomayor (Speaker)

In the wine industry since 1993; stared with Viña Valdivieso S.A.  In the Commercial Department, opening several Export markets all around the world.

Consolidating other several markets, mostly in Europe.

Today senior member of Viña Valdivieso’s Commercial department, in a more relaxed way in charge of the exports to Asia, Africa and ROW, developing interesting markets like China and South Asia, and consolidating ventures in Japan.

Wine and food lover, decent cook and fishing aficionado!!

Günter Thies (Speaker)

Managing Director, Günter Thies graduated with degrees in Agriculture and Viticulture from the University of Bonn and Stuttgart, and has an impressive history working in wineries in Oregon, USA and in the Rhein region of Germany.

In 2006 Günter and his family moved to New Zealand to embark on a new world wine journey to establish and manage Elephant Hill.

Don Tooth (Speaker)

Don Tooth joined the Anglo American / De Beers Group of Companies in 1975 and has been employed in various positions within the Group. He was appointed Group Managing Director of Anglo American Farms, a diversified Agri-Food and Wine business and the holding company of Vergelegen, in July 2000.
Aside from serving in several industry related roles and as a non-executive director in a number of companies, Don spearheaded the environmental programme at Vergelegen with the aim of rehabilitating some 2 200ha of alien infested land to its natural state. This ten year programme is the largest privately funded environmental project in South Africa and is frequently used to showcase South Africa’s responsible stance towards sustainable environmental and farming practices

Cees van Casteren (Speaker)

Drs. Cees van Casteren is consultant, wine writer and freelance journalist. Started wine journalism after a previous life in flavours & fragrances and enological products (yeasts, enzymes and bacteria) at DSM. Worked and lived in three countries on two continents. Is since 1999 fulltime in the wine industry, and since 2004 editor of Perswijn’s Supplements. Has a weekly wine column in newspaper De Gelderlander and contributes freelance to various magazines like Winelife, Proefschrift, Lekker, Exclusief and FD Magazine. Is also correspondent for Meininger’s Wine Business International. Cees operates two wine schools (WSET courses), passed the MW exam in 2009 and wrote 10 books since 2004.

Cobus van Graan (Speaker)

Cobus started his career in the South African wine industry as a viticultural extension officer. During 2000 he began working as a viticultural consultant in the premium South African wine growing areas of Stellenbosch, Constantia, Durbanville, Darling, Paarl and Elgin. During 2002 he joined KWV in the position of Viticulturist. Over the next 8 years he was responsible for all the grape procurement, producer liaison and viticultural activities of KWV. During this exiting period KWV reinvented itself and, literally starting from the ground up, continued to re-define the quality and style of its wines. His continued focus on cultivar:terroir synergies, meticulous viticultural collaboration with growers and dedicated winemaking efforts, culminated in the launch of the now well-awarded Mentors range. During 2010 Cobus completed his tenure as Chief Viticulturist for KWV and took up a new position as General Manager for Laborie Wine Farm in Paarl where he continues his passion for heritage, viticulture and winemaking.

Cobus keen interest in the world of wine and a quest for making extraordinary wines has led him to the various wine-growing regions within California, Spain, France, Italy and Australia.

He has served on many industry bodies and continue to contribute towards many of South Africa’s wine industry structures including the Winegrape Improvement
Association, Vititec, the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture
(SASEV), Paarl Wine Route and Winetech. He completed the Wine Evaluation Course at the University of Stellenbosch as well as Michael Fridjhon’s Wine Tasting Academy Judging Programme at the Graduate School of Business Cape Town, cum laude.
Cobus serves as the current Chairman for BOWWUS (Bond for Graduates of Viticulture and Oenology Department of the University of Stellenbosch).

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from Stellenbosch University and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

He lives with his wife and two sons in Somerset West in the Western Cape.

Pierre Wahl (Speaker)

After some winemaking experience in and around Paarl and Franschhoek, this talented winemaker left to Rijk’s Private Cellar, Tulbagh, in 2002 for bigger things. He has since made steady work in transforming Tulbagh into one of South Africa’s leading quality wine producing areas. This cellar is known for its world class Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz.

During the last 9 years at Rijk’s, Pierre has consulted for various wineries in the Tulbagh area, won numerous of awards and went off to Northern Rhône in France for a harvest in 2007.

As the years have gone by, the results of producing Pinotage at Rijk’s have been phenomenal. Not only is it their best selling wine, but also the variety that does the best at local and international competitions. Over the last 2 years they have had to plant another 7 hectares of Pinotagein able to supply their fast growing markets. With this growing demand for Rijk’sPinotage, they have decided to produce 3 styles of Pinotage wines to attract a larger consumer market: a lightly wooded style, a more seriously wooded wine and a Reserve.

Peter Yealands (Speaker)

Yealands Estate is owned by one of New Zealand's true pioneers, Peter Yealands, and his wife Vai. Peter has a history of applying innovative techniques with a strong dose of pragmatic expertise and hard work, underpinned by his deep passion for the land.  Peter’s bold and inspirational vision to set new standards of excellence in environmental practice across the board has seen the company become one of a handful of wineries in the world to achieve carboNZero certification.  Peter has continued to drive green initiatives throughout our operations by departing from traditional practices and instead looking for innovative sustainable solutions. These  include but are not limited to solar panels, wind turbines, heat recovery technology, introducing miniature Babydoll sheep to graze year-round; reducing the need for sprays and fuel powered mowers and rather than eradicating trees and birds from the vineyard, he has chosen instead to encourage biodiversity by regenerating the natural ecosystems. In addition to planting some 35,000 native trees and flaxes, the vineyard incorporates more than 20 wetlands that protect  numerous species of native birds including the endangered New Zealand falcon.