Marina Gayan MW is currently serving as CEO and a Board member of Chakana Wines in Mendoza, leading the business through a period of transformation. She also serves on the Council of the Institute of Masters of Wine. A Master of Wine since 2003, she was the first MW in South America and remains Argentina’s first and only Master of Wine.

Marina has over 25 years’ experience in the international wine industry, spanning business development, marketing and strategy. Her career has included roles with Catena, Hardys and Constellation Wines, alongside extensive consultancy work with wineries and wine businesses around the world. She has created and developed business units, brands and portfolios across markets and categories, from high-volume commercial wines to the premium sectors.

Marina has also served as Regional Chair for Argentina at the Decanter World Wine Awards and as an examiner for the Master of Wine examination. She has written about and reviewed wines for the international wine press and founded Vino para Ayudar, an initiative that uses wine to raise funds for small charities in Argentina. She also mentors within the wine community.

Born in Buenos Aires, Marina moved to London in 1999 and returned to Argentina after nearly two decades abroad. She is now based in Buenos Aires.

Primary area(s) of work: Strategy

Industry sector(s): Business owner, Consultant, Educator, Marketing, Wine business strategy, Wine judge

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

Wine region expertise: Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Mendoza, South America, Uruguay

Market expertise: Europe, South America, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Acquisition of vineyards, Organic viticulture, Regenerative, Economics of wine production, P&L, Wine styling, Blending, Sensory evaluation , Branding, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Marketing wine, Routes to market, Starting wineries, Wine auctions, Wine labels, Wine judging