Malaysian-born Chinese, Stephen Wong MW moved from Borneo to Singapore and finally to New Zealand to read Law at the University of Otago. While studying, he worked part time in cafés and as a club DJ. He moved to Central Otago in 2000, and his journey into wine progressed rapidly from vineyard worker to hospitality. Shortly after completing his Barrister examinations in Wellington, he picked up his first fledgling sommelier role and started teaching himself on the job. After seven years as a sommelier, Stephen moved into a consulting role, helping restaurants and hotels in New Zealand and Singapore with their wine programs. He now runs a small hospitality education and support business based in Wellington, Wine Sentience, training staff and managing wine lists around the country as well as hosting tastings and organising wine events for the public.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy, Communication

Industry sector(s): Marketing, PR, Sales, Business owner, Agency/Importer, On trade, Journalism, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge, Wine tourism

Wine styles: Fine and rare wines, Natural, Orange wines, Champagne, Sweet wines, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Auckland, Australia, Canterbury, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia, France, Alsace, Burgundy, Rhone, Champagne

Market expertise: New Zealand, Oceania, China, South East Asia

Specialisms: Sustainability, Wine varieties, Clones, Organic viticulture, Processing of grapes, Fermentation, Maturation and blending, Elevage / maturation, Blending, Bottling, Marketing wine, Investment strategies, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Distribution, HORECA, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Wine labels, Wine laws and regulations, Wine tourism, Branding, History of wine, Wine judging