DWWA Regional Chair for Provence: Rod Smith MW

Rod Smith MW is a distinguished wine professional based in the South of France, where he serves as the director of the Riviera Wine Academy. In September 2024, he was elected as the new chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), leading a council of 13 international Masters of Wine responsible for the organization’s governance and strategic direction.

Previously, he worked with Vins Sans Frontières, a major wine supplier to the superyacht industry in the South of France, and held positions with fine wine importers and retailers in the UK.

Smith’s journey in the wine world began in 1987 with a holiday position at Oddbins, taken while he was studying at Chelsea School of Art. After completing a degree in illustration and graphic design in Dundee, he worked with the UK wine merchant and pursued freelance illustration. His growing passion for wine soon took precedence, leading to roles with Seagram and Mentzendorff, where he honed his expertise.

Over the years, Smith has judged wine competitions worldwide, including events in Moscow, Shanghai, Sofia, Dallas, Thessaloniki, Guangzhou, and Sydney. He has also been a Decanter World Wine Awards judge since 2009.

His personal interests include cycling, running, travel, literature, card magic, and film.

Follow Rod on X @RivieraWineac

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