Catherine joins Lea & Sandeman as Head of Buying in 2026. She became a Master of Wine in 2017 with a research paper on Sancerre, where she had spent two vintages. She has also done harvest cellar work in Bordeaux, Friuli, Australia and New Zealand, and has done seven vintages in Burgundy, including one full year working in the vineyards and cellar at Domaine Comte Armand. Previously she was Buying Director at Lay & Wheeler where she spent six years, and before that worked at Goedhuis & Co, and Robert Rolls & Co. She graduated with a BA from the University of Leeds and an MA from the University of Bristol in English Literature. Her knowledge spans both the commercial and production sides of fine wine with a particular interest in Burgundy and Sancerre. She is part of the "Burgfest" tasting group and has in-depth knowledge of Burgundy both through vinification and her work as a buyer focused on en primeur releases.

Primary area(s) of work: Wine production, Trade

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Buying, Viticulture, Wine buying, Wine judge, Winemaking

Wine styles: Champagne, Dry wines, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Burgundy, Champagne, France, Jura/Savoie, Loire

Market expertise: United Kingdom

Specialisms: Cultivation of the vine, Life cycle of the vine, Fermentation, Processing of grapes, Elevage / maturation, Wine judging