Courtney has had 15 years’ experience in hospitality, with the last five years in liquor retail at Blackhearts & Sparrows, and as a wine merchant at Dan Murphys. She is currently the store manager and wine buyer at Drop Shop, a new local independent bottle shop in Brunswick East. Her fascination in wine took hold in her early 20s with a visit to the Hunter Valley and realising (and loving!) that she could smell and taste much more than just ‘wine grapes’ in the glass. This started her on a journey working at wine bars and undertaking WSET levels 2 and 3 and eventually working in liquor retail where she relished in helping customers find the right wine. She has since become more involved in the industry by stewarding at various wine shows and associate judging at the ICCWS in 2023. She was also selected to participate in the 2025 Sommeliers Australia Education Scholarship, she is a member of Sommeliers Australia, and she is a Rootlings committee member.