DWWA judges

DWWA judge profile: Kathrine Larsen MS

Kathrine Larsen MS is Premium Wine Ambassador at Enotria & Coe.

DWWA judge profile: Jane Parkinson

Jane Parkinson is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and author.

DWWA judge profile: Chris Kissack

Chris Kissack is the author of TheWinedoctor.com, a subscription website which he has been publishing since 2000, and is a regular reporter from the annual Bordeaux en primeur tastings.

DWWA judge profile: Totte Steneby

Totte Steneby is a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)

DWWA judge profile: Keith Isaac MW

Keith Isaac MW is a veteran of Castelnau Wine Agencies, having been with the company since 1987, being appointed General Manager in 1996.

DWWA judge profile: Wojciech Bońkowski

Wojciech Bońkowski is a wine writer, writing articles, blogs and books as well as being President of the Polish Wine Trade Association.

DWWA judge profile: David Jean

David Jean is a Buyer for Denner in Switzerland, focusing on their Swiss and New World portfolio.

DWWA judge profile: Bruno Murciano

Bruno Murciano is on H2Vin’s management team, aiding sales and client relations whilst further developing H2Vin’s Spanish Agencies.

DWWA judge profile: Emilio Del Fante

Emilio Del Fante has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and now works with wine producers in the Lugano region.

DWWA judge profile: Aristide Spies MS

Aristide Spies MS runs La Cave des Sommeliers, a chain of wine shops in Belgium and Luxembourg.

DWWA judge profile: Claire Nam

Claire Nam is a wine writer in Korea and UK as well as being an Italian Wine Ambassador certified by Vinitaly International Academy. She has set up a micro-négociant GARAM in Bordeaux, producing a micro-cuvée Graves Blanc ‘Les Trois Mains’.

DWWA judge profile: Yiannis Karakasis MW

Yiannis Karakasis MW is founder of karakasis.mw blog and a contributor to books, international magazines and sites. He consults for several businesses, including online wine retailers, export companies and hotels.

DWWA judge profile: Matt Wilkin MS

Matt Wilkin MS jointly owns London-based wine company H2Vin specialising in the Loire, Burgundy, Rhône, Spain & South Africa. He also consults several London restaurants, educates and adjudicates for the Court of Master Sommeliers’ worldwide and assists as a regular Judge at wine competitions.

DWWA Judge profile: Douglas Wood

Douglas Wood is owner of Scottish independent merchant, WoodWinters. They have has two retail branches but the majority of business is through wholesaling to restaurants and hotels covering all of the UK, its own agency arm importing and distributing wines and its own award winning range of single cask whiskies.

DWWA judge profile: Jean-Michel Valette MW

Jean-Michel Valette MW is chairman of Vinfolio, a US-based internet marketplace for fine wine.

DWWA judge profile: David Vareille

David Vareille is Head Sommelier at The Arts Club London, leading one of the biggest teams in the country.

DWWA Judge Profile: Christopher Tanghe MS

Christopher Tanghe MS is Chief Instructor with GuildSomm, which involves spearheading masterclasses across the country, conducting webinars and contributing editorial content to guildsomm.com.

DWWA judge profile: Simon Taylor

Simon Taylor is founder of Stone, Vine & Sun, a mail order wine merchant specialising in Languedoc-Roussillon, the Rhône, South Africa and South America.

DWWA judge profile: Lindsay Talas

Having spent over 10 years working in the multiple grocer sector, Lindsay Talas now works for Watermill Wines, combining buying and selling to key accounts.

DWWA Judge profile: Ruth Spivey

Ruth Spivey has set up the speed tasting night FLIGHT CLUB, opened her own street food wine bar, STREET VIN and created an ongoing series of consumer tastings – WINE CAR BOOT.

DWWA judge profile: Mark Savage MW

As owner and CEO of Savage Selection, Mark Savage MW is agent for about 50 small family wine estates in twelve countries.

DWWA judge profile: Ana Sapungiu MW

Ana Sapungiu MW is Head Wine Buyer for UK based retailer Oddbins.

DWWA Regional Chair for Tuscany: Ben Robson

Ben Robson has always worked in the wine trade. In 1994 he opted for self-employment when he established Bat and Bottle, which he still owns.

DWWA judge profile: Clément Robert MS

Clément Robert MS is in charge of the wine buying for 28-50 group.

DWWA judge profile: Laura Rhys MS

Laura Rhys MW is Prestige Development Manager at Gusbourne, the leading English wine estate. Her role as part of the management team sees her covering development both in UK and internationally.

DWWA Judge profile: Piotr Pietras MS

Piotr Pietras MS is a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and an independent wine consultant.

DWWA judge profile: Sebastian Payne MW

Sebastian Payne MW is an integral part of The Wine Society’s buying team and currently sources its Italian and Eastern European wines, as well as writing for the Society List and website.

DWWA judge profile: Theresa Paopao

Theresa Paopao is the Beverage Director and General Manager of Ribelle in Boston, USA.

DWWA judge profile: Rebecca Palmer

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for Corney & Barrow Ltd based in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa: Greg Sherwood MW

Greg Sherwood MW is a Regional Chair at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards and Senior Wine Buyer for Fine Wines at Handford Wines in South Kensington.