Born and raised in New Zealand. After completing a politics degree at Canterbury University I departed New Zealand for a period of extended travelling, interspersed with working at a variety or pursuits, the most agreeable of which was professional sailing. Discovering the delights of fine food and wine along the way I resolved to enter the wine trade. I remain fascinated by the challenges of making and selling good, affordable wine to ordinary people who like wine. I dream of planting a vineyard.

Industry sector(s): Sales, On trade, Buying, Journalism, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge

Wine styles: Sparkling wine, Champagne, Prosecco, English sparkling wines, Sherry, Still white, Still red

Wine region expertise: Abruzzo, Auckland, Canterbury (NZ), Central Otago, Hawke's Bay, Lebanon, Lombardy, Marche, Marlborough, New Zealand, Portugal, UK, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Galicia, Penedes, Navarra, Spain, Priorat, Valencia, Jerez, Italy, Piedmont, Veneto/Friuli, Tuscany, Sicily

Market expertise: United Kingdom

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Distribution, HORECA, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Wine labels, Wine tourism, Wine judging