DWWA judge profile: Benjamin Gubbins
Benjamin Gubbins is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
Benjamin Gubbins
Benjamin Gubbins joined Oddbins in 2002 looking to save money to return to his native home, Chile. However, after a few staff tastings and his first WSET course, he was persuaded to stay and pursue a career in the UK wine trade.
He worked a vintage in Burgundy and has travelled the wine lands of France, Italy, South Africa and Chile. He holds the WSET Diploma and has worked on both sides of the commercial table as buyer for Chile at Oddbins and sales director for a Chilean and Argentinian wine producer.
Gubbins is currently a General Manager of Vagabond Urban Winery and Head of Vagabond Academy, running wine courses and tastings for employees and the public.
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Born and raised in India, Shivani is the awards manager at Decanter, managing the 300-strong cohort of worldwide judges for the world's largest wine competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards, ensuring a seamless judging process and driving the competitive integrity of the awards. After earning a master’s in wine management from the Burgundy School of Business, she moved to London in 2016 and completed her WSET diploma. While Burgundy holds a special place in her heart, Champagne is her go-to bottle. Alongside her full-time role, she has been dipping her toes into wine writing, relishing the opportunity to bring wine stories to the surface. She serves on the Drinks United Advisory Council board.