2009 Judges | Chief Judge | Max Allen. Max is Australia's most widely-published wine writer; wine columnist for The Weekend Australia Magazine, wine editor for Australian Gourmet Traveler magazine and a regular contributor to many other consumer and trade magazines. Max has written many books on wine and has judged at various Australian wine competitions; he is also Chief Judge of the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in Mildura. He will lead this years team of highly qualified judges. | | Judge | Vanya Cullen, Winemaker, Cullen Wines. Vanya Cullen has been responsible for wine making at her family's Wilyabrup winery since 1989. Her palate has been honed by judging throughout Australia and overseas, and by her continuous pursuit of a thorough knowledge of the wines of the world. Over the past decade, Vanya has transformed her family firm from one of Margaret River's best into one of the country's premium boutique wineries. Cullen Wines, while remaining family owned, has since evolved making quality wine from biodynamically grown grapes. Vanya Cullen was the winner of the 2000 Qantas/ The Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year and sits on the Qantas Taste Panel judging wine shows in every major city in Australia. In May 2008 she was awarded the UK Drinks Magazine (top industry magazine in the UK) 'Woman of the Year 2008' for her commitment to the wine industry and for demonstrating that you can operate a successful business whilst simultaneously looking after the environment.
| | Judge | Jon Osbeiston, Ultimo Wine Centre. Jon has worked in the wine industry since 1980. He has been involved with some of Sydney's leading wine businesses. In that time he has been involved with importing, wholesaling and retailing of wine. He started a small importing business in 1991 which became the Ultimo Wine Centre in 1994. The Ultimo Wine Centre is now considered one of Australia's leading independent wine stores with an unrivaled range of local and imported wines. Jon travels extensively to wine regions here and abroad. He has appeared on tasting panels and has judged at the Alternative Variety Wine Show as well as The Organic Wine Show. | | Judge | Gill Gordon Smith, Wine Educator, McLaren Vale. Gill is an approved provider with the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) of London, based in McLaren Vale. She has been an Associate Judge at Macedon Ranges, Winewise Small Vignerons Awards in Canberra and the Adelaide Hills Wine Show. Gill has a small natural wine bar/tasting roon in McLaren Vale and showcase organic/biodynamic wines and she has been interested in natural wines for many years. Gill believes the natural process allows the true character of the grape to shine and offer a 'real' alternative for the consumer. Gil has travelled extensively searching out and tasting many natural wines. She is also a member of the Australian Sommeliers Association and WCA. | | Associate Judge | Renee Foster, Ultimo Wine Centre. Len Evans Tutorial Scholar of 2008 and Associate Judge at the Royal Sydney Wine Show in 2009. Renee qualified to WSET Dipolma level in London whilst managing one of only five Oddbins Ultimate Wine Stores. Renee is currently managing the Ultimo Wine Centre where she regularly tastes and buys wines from across the globe.
| | Chief Steward | James Johnston, World Wine Estates. James has been in the wine industry for nearly 20 years, starting in the UK with Oddbins, then moving to Hong Kong where he moced into wholesale distribution. In Australia James has run World Wine Estates for 10 years. He became intersted in organic and biodynamic viticulture after visits to Domaine Lafarge in Burgundy and Domaine Albert Mann in Alsace. | | | | | | |
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2009 Show Details 
