
Stephen Wong MW
Became an MW 2016
Based in New Zealand
Languages English
Home city: Wellington
Home country: New Zealand
Work address: Wine Sentience Hub, Level 1, 104 Vivian Street, Te Aro
Work city: Wellington
Work postcode: 6011
Work country: NZ
Work email address: stephen@winesentience.com
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