Philip Rich
2025 Chief of Judges
Melbourne born and bred, Philip has more than 25 years’ experience as a passionate retailer, educator, wine show judge and wine writer. In 1996, Philip…
Cliff Royle
2025 Panel Chair
Cliff Royle is one of Australia’s most acclaimed winemakers, with nearly 30 years of experience—16 of those as Chief Winemaker at Flametree Wines in Margaret…
Gwyn Olsen
2025 Panel Chair
Fascinated with science from a young age, it was Gwyn’s interest in the natural environment that led her to study a career in winemaking. After…
Paul Hotker
2025 Panel Chair
I’m a Consultant Winemaker with over 25 years’ experience in the grape and wine sector having worked as a vineyard hand to senior winemaker and…
Angus Hughson
2025 Judge
Angus Hughson is a wine writer and publisher with a focus on advancing the cause of Australian fine wine, both in local and international markets.
Nat Cleghorn
2025 Judge
Natalie has over 25 years of experience in the wine industry, with a passion for winemaking that began with a single glass of Champagne. Natalie’s…
Patrick White
2025 Judge
Patrick White is Sommelier and Cellar Master for the Adelaide Club. His career in wine has spanned over 25 years, including 15 years in Sydney,…
Sue Bell
2025 Judge
Sue is winemaker/director/gardener at Bellwether based in an 1868 stone shearing shed in Coonawarra, SA on Buandig land: a community winery, produce garden and campground…
Uli Grey-Smith
2025 Judge
Ulrich (Uli) Grey-Smith earned his Winemaking degree in 1991 after four years of study at Roseworthy Agricultural College. Since then, Uli has completed thirty-seven vintages…
Wes Pearson
2025 Judge
Dr Wes Pearson is a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. He holds a BSc in Wine Biochemistry from the…
Brooke Blair
2025 Associate Judge
Brooke was born in Mount Gambier and graduated from the University of Adelaide with a degree in Oenology. She started her winemaking career at Hollick…
Iskra Varbanova
2025 Associate Judge
Originally from Bulgaria, Iskra is an accomplished winemaker with extensive international experience. After building a strong foundation in Bulgaria’s wine industry, she set out to…