DWWA Regional Chair for Northern Italy: Sarah Knowles MW

Sarah Knowles MW has been appointed Regional Chair for Northern Italy at the 2027 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). She succeeds Michael Garner, who judged at the DWWA for more than 20 years.

Sarah Knowles MW

Sarah Knowles MW has worked in the wine trade for 20 years. She discovered a love of blind tasting while reading Geography at Oxford University, where her team won the varsity blind-tasting match. After working harvests in Bordeaux and Western Australia, she spent six years at Amathus Drinks, rising to become the company’s sole buyer across all regions and styles.

She joined The Wine Society as a buyer in 2014 and is responsible for Italy, North America and Champagne. She is also a member of the Society’s Senior Leadership Team. Her buying covers everything from everyday, great-value wines to fine wine, working closely with producers and helping to develop The Society’s ranges.

Sarah became a Master of Wine in 2015, receiving the Noval Award for her research paper. Italy has been a particular interest throughout her career. She regularly visits producers across the country, from established names to smaller growers.

A DWWA judge since 2015, Sarah has also judged internationally in Italy, New Zealand and the USA. She is involved in networks supporting women in the wine trade, and mentors both within the Institute of Masters of Wine and across the wider industry.

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See more Regional Chairs for the 2027 DWWA.