Speakers
Angus Hughson
Over the last twenty years Angus Hughson has worked across many different sections of the wine trade, first in academia and then in various retail roles in London and Sydney including at Wine-Ark, ALDI and Cracka Wines. He was a Len Evans Scholar in 2006 and since that time has judged at numerous shows including the Sydney Royal Wine Show, Margaret River Wine Show and Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. Angus regularly contributed to a range of publications including The Australian and Gourmet Traveller Wine before founding Winepilot in 2020 and co-founding The Vintage Journal with Andrew Caillard in 2021. Angus is also a respected international critic as the Australian Editor for VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City.
Annette Lacey MW
Annette has extensive management and operational experience across all levels of restaurants and hospitality venues. She is currently the Group Beverage Manager for Solotel, a large and diverse hospitality group in Sydney.
She has completed all levels of WSET and is a certified educator focusing on the development of the next generation through the delivery of wine courses in the Australian market.
Other accolades include the winner of the prestigious 2014 Vin de Champagne Award (Professional) and being selected for the highly prized Len Evans tutorial.
David Bicknell
A veteran of 32 Yarra Valley vintages plus harvest winemaking stints in Burgundy, Alsace and Beaujolais, David Bicknell has been the chief winemaker of Oakridge Wines since 2002.
He is a Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year Winner (2017), a past Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial (2005) and co-founder of the Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (2002).
He is a respected senior wine show judge, which has included tenures as the Chair of Judges at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards and the Royal Queensland Wine Show plus many smaller regional and varietal wine shows. He is the current Chair of Judges at the National Wine Show of Australia.
David LeMire MW
David LeMire MW is a wine business professional with experience in retail, distribution, and brand management.
A two year stint in London in the mid 90s gave him a 'eurocentric' palate, which he further developed in Australia in his roles with Negociants Australia. From 2000 – 2007 he was Imports Manager with Negociants Australia, overseeing a portfolio that included many of the great names of Burgundy.
In 2010 he joined the team at leading Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith as Head of Sales and Marketing.
He was appointed Co-CEO of Shaw + Smith in July 2020.
Elaine Chukan Brown
Elaine Chukan Brown serves as a writer, speaker, and global wine educator working at the intersection of sustainability, climate action, and reducing gatekeeping in wine.
Brown has served as the Executive Editor US for JancisRobinson.com, a columnist for Decanter Magazine, a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine and currently reviews wines of Napa Valley for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Brown co-founded the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum, and have advised diversity initiatives in multiple countries.
Georgina Jacobs
Always seeking a challenge, Georgina was immediately drawn to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the wine industry. A first vintage in 2013 led to a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Adelaide, and Georgina has since worked and honed her craft in wineries and vineyards across Europe, North America, NZ, and throughout Australia. Georgina has a deep curiosity in the detail of growing fine wine and is driven to maintain sustainability holistically, with a focus on sensitively farmed wines, diverse and inclusive teams, and collaborative communities.
Dr Jamie Goode
Jamie Goode is a UK-based wine writer, lecturer, wine judge and book author. With a PhD in plant biology, he worked as a science editor, before starting wineanorak.com in 1999, which became a popular wine website. Since 2005 he’s been the wine columnist for UK national newspaper The Sunday Express, and has written regularly for a range of publications. He is active as a speaker/lecturer and also a wine judge, and is one of the co-chairs for the International Wine Challenge. Goode’s books include the The Science of Wine, Authentic Wine, I Taste Red and Flawless.
Meg Brodtmann MW
Meg Brodtmann MW began her winemaking career in Australia before working across Europe and South America for Cellarworld International.
In 2001 Meg moved to Chile where she spent the next 8 years working as a senior winemaker, broker and consultant.
Meg was Australia’s first female Master of Wine in 2002. Meg has been the Chair of the International Cool Climate Wine Show. She is also co-host of the successful podcast ‘Wine with Meg + Mel”- winner of the 2022 and 2023 Wine Communicators of Australia ‘Best Blog or Podcast’ award.
Meg is currently the Brand Business Manager for Rob Dolan Wines, based in her beloved Yarra Valley.
Melanie Chester
Melanie Chester joined Giant Steps as Head of Winemaking and Viticulture in 2021. Her previous experiences include working at Sutton Grange Winery in Central Victoria, where her influence on winemaking and viticulture led to multi trophy winning wines; as well as time in the Grampians for the historic Seppelt Great Western, working with fruit from all climates in Victoria.
Melanie’s love affair with Giant Steps started long before she became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture, collecting the wines from our iconic vineyards for her personal cellar for many years.
Now as the General Manager of Giant Steps, Mel brings an intense passion for wine and great Burgundy.
Michael Brajkovich MW
Michael studied oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia, where he was dux in 1981. After graduation Michael returned to the family vineyard and winery in Kumeu. He has since travelled extensively through the world’s wine areas and had the opportunity to spend the 1983 vintage in France with the famous house of Jean-Pierre Moueix in Libourne, near Bordeaux.
In 1989 Michael passed as an MW becoming New Zealand’s first member of the Institute. He has many years of experience judging at the New Zealand National Wine Awards and also has judged at the Australian National Capital Wine Show in Canberra, the Royal Hobart Wine Show in Tasmania, the Perth Royal Wine Show. He was chair of judges at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2015-17.
Michael Saunders
Mike’s passion for viticulture traces back to his childhood, where his love for farming first took root. At just seven years old, he was already behind the wheel of a tractor alongside his grandad, captivated by the outdoors and the land. This early connection led him to pursue a degree in horticulture and sparked a lifelong fascination.
Mike completed vintages at Esk Valley Estate in Hawkes Bay and Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley before stints at Villa Maria, Neudorf and Greystone before embracing a new chapter in 2024, joining Voyager Estate in Margaret River as Head of Viticulture. Drawn by the region’s focus on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the chance to work in one of Australia’s most stunning places, Mike sees this move as an opportunity to grow alongside a team committed to protecting the land for future generations.
Nick Dry
Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Viticultural Science) from the University of Adelaide in December 2000. He was first employed by the Orlando Wyndham Group and spent three years working as a viticulturist in the South-East and Riverland. In 2004 he was appointed to the newly created position of Rootstock Project Manager with the Phylloxera Board of South Australia. While with the Phylloxera board he wrote 'Grapevine rootstocks: selection and management for South Australian vineyards'. Between 2008-2019 Nick managed Yalumba Nursery, during which time he developed an extensive knowledge of variety, clone and rootstock performance. In September 2019 he was awarded the Gourmet Traveller WINE Viticulturist of the year and at the start of November 2019 he parted ways with Yalumba to start his own consulting business ‘Foundation Viticulture’. In November 2022 Nick was recognised as the ASVO viticulturist of the year.
Paul Bridgeman
Having grown up in the Yarra Valley, Paul’s first career path was forged in agriculture. A lifelong love of music and a flirtation with the prospect of being a musician aligned in 1994 with a serendipitous offer of an 18-month placement in the wine industry in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, which landed Paul with easy access to the Seattle music scene. During this time, Paul immersed himself in wine and upon completion of the traineeship, Paul returned to the Yarra Valley and commenced work at Yarra Ridge, subsequently enrolling in Charles Sturt University’s distance Wine Science degree, graduating in 2007.
Locally, Paul has been winemaker with De Bortoli (2001-2008), was appointed winemaker at Yarra Yering by founder Dr. Bailey Carrodus (2008-2013) and has been winemaker at Levantine Hill for 11 years. As of vintage 2024, Paul has worked twenty-six vintages in the Yarra Valley.
Rémi Jacquemain
Rémi Jacquemain has been the manager at Place of Changing Winds since 2017. He has both a Viticulture Masters degree and Diploma of Oenology (Winemaking-Oenology Masters Degree) from Bordeaux University where he trained under some the world’s most important vine and wine scientists.
Rémi runs the day to day of the vineyard and cellar and has driven a constant evolution in the practices. Remi and Rob are often found debating and researching every detail in order to help steer Place of Changing Winds on the righteous path that both of them wish to follow – the path that they hope will lead to the highest quality, most expressive wines possible. They are leaving no stone unturned.
Richard Hemming MW
Richard Hemming is Head of Wine, Asia, for 67 Pall Mall in Singapore. As Head of Wine, he ensures the wine proposition at the Singapore Club is peerless. He became an MW in 2015.
He has written for JancisRobinson.com since 2008, contributing regular articles and tasting notes covering every aspect of the wine world. Richard has also been published by the Business Times, Financial Times, Club Oenologique, Decanter, The World Of Fine Wine and Noble Rot.
His wine industry career began with six years of UK retail management with Majestic Wine, followed by surviving (just) the 2008 vintage in McLaren Vale as a cellarhand and spending one year as a viticultural assistant at Gusbourne Estate in Kent. Richard then spent 11 years as a freelance writer, communicator and educator in London before relocating to Singapore in 2019.
Samantha Connew
A highly experienced and respected winemaker and consultant, Samantha Connew launched her Tasmanian solo project Stargazer in 2013. Amongst her many achievements, she has twice been nominated by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology as Winemaker of the Year, as well as twice being a finalist for Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Winemaker Award.
In 2022, Stargazer was recognised was a finalist in the Halliday Wine Companion Awards for Winery of the Year, and was nominated in 2023 for Winemaker of the Year.
Connew has chaired many regional and capital city wine shows including Chair of Judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show and was the first female and youngest judge in the position in 2014. In 2016 Connew acquired a small vineyard and olive grove in the Coal River Valley, found north-east of Hobart. Under her stewardship, the vineyard was awarded Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year in May 2019.
Steve Faulkner
Steve has a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Melbourne, Dookie College. A second generation agronomist following in his fathers footsteps.
With diverse experience across 4 wine regions, Steve has developed a well rounded experience on managing vines in a changing climate and is emerging as a leading voice in biological farming.
Steve has always been intrigued with how the vine connects with its environment, and how we can adapt to this and grow high quality wine.
Steve Flamsteed
Steve’s first qualification was in food, completing a chef’s apprenticeship in the mid 1980’s. Steve developed a number of culinary passions, including cheese making, which would take him to France to study his trade but it was after working at Château du Bluizard in the Cote de Brouilly that Steve was inspired to become a qualified winemaker.
Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Wine Science) in 1993 from Roseworthy Agricultural College and has worked for Leeuwin Estate in the Margaret River (1999 – 2002) and Yarra Burn Winery in the Yarra Valley (2002 – 2003) before joining Giant Steps as Winemaker in August 2003. Steve is a Len Evans Scholar and has completed several vintages overseas, including in Alsace, Provence, Brouilly and Sonoma. In 2016 Steve was awarded the Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine Winemaker of the Year award and in 2019 was announced as Wine Communicators Victorian Legend of the Vine.
In 2022 Steve joined Wine Network as a Senior Consultant and Director.
Tamara Grischy
Not many people can say they were born to do something, but Tamara Grischy, who grew up in the buzzing life of hospitality, was always close to her life's calling. Between her parents owning a restaurant in Port Douglas and the constant presence of wine on the dinner table, the stage had been set for a lifelong affinity with the industry. A brief interlude supporting export administration at Peter Lehmann set the foundation for Tamara, fueling her passion for the world of wine. While studying at UTS, Tamara participated in a vintage at Brokenwood Wines, helping contribute to replanting efforts at Graveyard Vineyards and working at the cellar door. Tamara stepped into her first role at LANGTONS as a Valuations Expert. She then moved back to Melbourne to reconnect with LANGTONS. As Head of Auctions, Tamara drove the digital
transformation of auctions and step change in the growth of the LANGTONS business. Tamara, who was appointed General Manager in 2021, ensures her team upholds that signature luxury LANGTONS experience.
Tracey Siebert
Tracey now leads the AWRI’s flavour chemistry research team, after being a member of the team for over 20 years working across many projects including yeast derived aroma volatiles, stinky sulfur compounds, tropical sulfur compounds, oak-related aroma compounds, and rotundone, the black pepper aroma compound. Tracey has expertise in measuring aroma volatiles using a range of instrumentation (GC-MS, MDGC-MS, GC-SCD and GC-O) and broad experience with many laboratory and sample preparation techniques. Tracey is also a member of several wine sensory panels including the in-house technical quality panel. For self-learning and fun, Tracey was part of the Belair Winemaking Team for several years.
In 2018, Tracey completed her PhD investigating ‘stone fruit’ aroma in wine.
Prior to the AWRI, Tracey had over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working in quality control, quality assurance, and research and development, as well as medical research.
Will Lyons
Described by The Spectator magazine as having one of the finest palates in Britain Will Lyons is a wine writer, author and broadcaster. For more than a decade he has published a weekly column on drinks, formerly in The Wall Street Journal and now The Sunday Times. His humorous, informed, down-to-earth writing has been recognized in both the Glenfiddich and Roederer wine writing Awards and in 2022 his podcast Wine Times was named Podcast of the Year at the British Media Awards. He began his career in London, where he developed a love for the classic wines of Europe working in St James’s for Justerini & Brooks and Berry Bros. & Rudd.
He co-authored “Selecting, Drinking, Collecting & Obsessing A Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine” with fellow Wall Street Journal wine writer Lettie Teague and contributed to “Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues ’60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine Tasting Competition.” A past president of the Edinburgh University Wine Society, a Commanderie de Bordeaux, Will is Vice President of The Sunday Times Wine Club and co-host of the award winning Wine Times podcast.