DWWA Portugal Judging Panel

João Pires is the Head Sommelier at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. Born in Portugal, he moved to the UK in January of 2005 and he has worked as a sommelier for twenty years in Paris, Lisbon, Montreal, Toronto and the United Kingdom before becoming Wine Director for the Vineyard at Stockcross in Berkshire and the Capital Hotel in London. Prior to joining Blumenthal’s Dinner, he worked at Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road. João is a Master Sommelier, is presently enrolled with the Master of Wine Education Program and judges for wine competitions across the world.