Barbara lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. She is a director and wine buyer for the wholesale company WineMason, which she established with her husband Ben Mason in 2014. Barbara has a law degree from Trinity College Dublin and worked as a chartered accountant and tax consultant until 2000, after which she edited a wine guide, The Best of Wine in Ireland, for two years and worked with the retailer Wicklow Wine Co. Barbara is married with three children who have a precocious knowledge of grape varieties. Her special areas of interest include the wines of Portugal, South Africa, Austria and Germany, and she is active in supporting a dynamic and independent wine scene in Ireland.

Current employer: WineMason

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Distribution, Business owner, Agency/Importer, Buying

Wine styles: Cava, Port, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Austria, Germany, Portugal

Market expertise: Europe

Specialisms: Financial and commercial structures, Supplier/customer relationships, Importation, Distribution, Independent retail, Restaurant wines, Wine judging