IWC JUDGES

Oz Clarke Judge Emeritus is one of the world's most recognised wine communicators — famous for his extraordinary palate, storytelling ability and talent for making wine thrilling and accessible. After a successful career as a performer with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in major West End productions, Oz became one of the UK's leading wine authorities.

His award-winning television work includes Food and Drink, the hit Oz & James series with James May, and regular appearances on James Martin's Saturday Morning. He has written more than 20 influential books, including Red & White, Let Me Tell You About Wine, and The History of Wine in 100 Bottles.

Appointed OBE in 2020, Oz has shaped consumer understanding of wine for decades. As Co-Chair, he brings deep global tasting experience, accuracy and enthusiasm to the IWC, helping oversee blind tasting and confirming Golds and Trophies.

Oz is unofficially the wizard of wine!

Matías Prezioso is a leading figure in the Argentine and South American sommelier community. Former president of the Argentine Association of Sommeliers and current VP Americas Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, he is the founder at VinEsence, a consultancy specializing in wine sales, marketing and communication. digital marketing and sales. Matías combines his knowledge in tasting with a solid understanding of global markets and a 360 ° of the wine business.

Patricio Tapia graduated with a degree in journalism from the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, before attending Bordeaux University in France, where he studied for a diploma in wine tasting and winemaking. He was the wine critic for Argentina, Chile and Spain in Wine & Spirits magazine, and has been a host on the El Gourmet TV channel in South America. He has written several books, including The Wines of Colchagua Valley, TodoVino, Wines for Great Occasions, and his annual Descorchados, a guide to the wines of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Perú and Uruguay.

Christy Canterbury MW is a Contributing Editor to Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy, covering Burgundy and the USA. Her work has been published by Wine-Searcher, TimAtkin.com, Wine Enthusiast and Huffington Post. Christy was the National Wine Director for Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and Global Beverage Director for Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. She directed purchasing for Italian Wine Merchants and Zachys, collaborating with their Hong Kong retail operations. Christy's corporate client roster includes Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Rackspace, Fitch Ratings and Mitsubishi UFJ.

Melina Aguirre Jaén DipWSET is the Founder, Managing Director and Principal Educator at CruCo. Wine Studio in Panama City. A former medical doctor who transitioned into the luxury wine and hospitality sector, Melina holds the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Her career spans international luxury hospitality, including training elite teams in the United Arab Emirates for Emirates Airlines and the Armani Hotel Dubai, as well as leading beverage education strategies across the Middle East and Europe. Today, she combines global technical expertise with business consulting, elevating hospitality standards and wine education across Panama and the region.

Martin Buonsante is the owner and founder of Ozono Wines and Vinandina. Martin is a sommelier and has been working in the wine industry since 2002, focusing primarily on sales and marketing, but has also played a role in strategy development and communications. Since the company's inception, Martin has distributed the most personal projects of renowned producers such as Matias Michelini, Escala Humana, Cara Sur, PerSe, SuperUco, and El Bayeh, among others.

Adriana Zazueta Cousté is a wine expert, founder of Exploravid, wine academy for international wine certifications in Mexico City, helped hundreds of students achieve international wine certifications, significantly improving wine culture in Mexico.

Driven by her passion for wine, she obtained the DipWSET certification and in 2025 enrolled in the Master of Wine Programme. She is educator for Ribera del Duero D.O., Capstone California, Wines of Portugal and is VDP. ambassador for German wines.

Marcela Burgos, DipWSET, is a wine business consultant based in Santiago de Chile. With over 20 years of experience in export markets, she advises South American producers and trade associations on commercial strategy. She is a WSET Educator and Founding Director of Conservatorio del Vino.

Michelle "Mina" Carlín is a Mexico-based wine educator, sommelier, international wine competition judge and wine broker. She is a WSET Certified Educator and a Diploma in Wines candidate (DipWSET), holding professional qualifications including the CMS Certified Sommelier, CSW and ASI credentials, alongside specialist training in California Wines, Ribera del Duero, Champagne, tea and terroir water.

Mina works with wine regions, producers, importers and industry professionals through education, consulting and wine brokerage, developing educational programmes, masterclasses and tailored training. Her work combines technical expertise in wine and sensory analysis with practical experience of wine styles, regional identity and the international wine market. As an educator and wine content creator, she is committed to making wine knowledge accessible while maintaining analytical depth, helping both professionals and enthusiasts develop a deeper understanding of wine.

Agustina de Alba is an Argentine sommelier, wine communicator and educator. She was
named Best Sommelier of Argentina in 2008 and 2012 and placed fifth in the Best
Sommelier of the Americas competition in 2012.

Her career has included experience at leading restaurants such as El Celler de Can Roca,
Gaucho, Alain Ducasse and Aramburu. In 2015, she founded Hola Vino, a
communication and education platform created to make wine more approachable without
losing depth.

In 2023, she was named one of the Top Five Wine Communicators of the Year worldwide
by the IWSC. Since 2023, she has also worked with Cono Sur Wine Importer, travelling
internationally to discover, select and source wines for the Argentine market, with a particular focus on distinctive producers and cult wineries.

Fernando Depetris is the founder of Redigram, an Argentine wine company established in 1995 that specializes in the commercial development, marketing and distribution of leading wineries. A certified sommelier since 2017, he has extensive experience in the wine industry and regularly participates in international wine fairs and trade events around the world.

Daniel started his career in the wine industry working on wine tours in Rio Grande do Sul and in wine sales for Miolo Wine Group, in 3 diferents states (Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo).

Daniel did his masters degree under the orientation of Regina Vanderlinde (former OIV president) using torulaspora delbrueckii for sparkilings. In his doctoral research, Daniel works with non-saccharomyces yeast. Mainly Torulaspora delbrueckii, prospecting and characterization of these yeasts trying to understand if they fit in the wine industry.
Right now, Daniel is working with some torulaspora mutants, improving their sulfur dioxide tolerance.

Teresa García Santillán is an International Sommelier and WSET Level 2 certified wine professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the Argentine wine industry. Creator of BONVIVIR, Argentina's largest wine club, she currently leads the Tasting Panel, evaluating more than 600 wines annually through blind tastings and taking part in the creation of exclusive blends with wineries throughout Argentina. Teresa also hosts wine tastings, events and experiences, and regularly contributes to wine communication and media.

Delvis Huck is a sommelier, wine educator, and restaurant manager with more than 8 years of experience in fine dining restaurants and luxury hospitality. Delvis currently serves as Restaurant Manager & Head Sommelier at Casa Cavia, Head Sommelier at Asadero, and instructor at CAVE. Delvis specializes in team leadership, wine program management, wine list curation, professional training, and the development of wine and dining experiences.

Anna Lee C. Iijima is a Japanese and American journalist and wine critic based in New York City. In addition to a monthly column for The Chicago Tribune, she frequently writes about wine, sake, food and culture for Forbes Wine, Decanter, Bon Appétit and other publications. For over a decade she was the contributing editor covering Germany, the Rhône Valley, Burgundy and New York for Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Aaron has worked in the wine trade for the past 19 years, gaining broad experience across the world's major wine-producing regions, with a background spanning fine wine, buying, sales and category management. Based in Southeast London, he is currently Sales and Category Manager for Condor Wines UK, an award-winning importer specialising in wines from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and New Zealand.

Oenologist with over 40 years of experience in Uruguay and internationally. Expertise in technical direction, consulting, institutional management, and representation at international bodies such as the OIV.

Thiago Mendes DipWSET is the CEO and founder of Eno Cultura, one of Brazil's leading references in wine education. His career brings together education, entrepreneurship and industry experience, further enriched by extensive travel to major wine-producing regions around the world and close contact with producers, wineries and diverse terroirs.
Under his leadership, Eno Cultura received the WSET Educator of the Year awards 2017, an international recognition of excellence in wine education. As an educator and experienced wine professional, Thiago is dedicated to developing wine professionals and advancing wine culture in Brazil and internationally. Regular judge and Ambassador for the IWC since 2007, V.D.P. ambassador, Bordeaux Educator and Grands Pagos de España Ambassador.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the world of wine, Emilio is a sommelier and founder of Wine Group, a wine distribution company with a presence throughout the province of Córdoba, representing more than 25 wineries.

His path began in the restaurant industry and continued with formal training in sommellerie, before shifting his focus toward the commercialization and promotion of wine culture.
Today, he combines his industry experience with building connections between wineries, restaurants, and consumers through tastings, training sessions, and gastronomic experiences.

Valeria Mortara is an Argentine sommelier and wine professional with two decades of experience in the wine and hospitality industries.

She is currently General Director and Head Sommelier of Anchoíta Gastronomic Group and its wine import company in Buenos Aires. Former Vice President of the Argentine Sommeliers Association and co-author of La Guía del Vino Argentino, she also serves as Beverage Director of Comilona, an international gastronomy and wine festival.

Ivonne Nill is a Public Relations Consultant whose previous roles include retail sales and education at Gary's Wine & Marketplace, a harvest position at Domaine Plageoles in Gaillac, France, and sales and distribution at Winebow/Martin Scott.

She has judged wine at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and taught WSET classes at the International Wine Center in New York City. Most recently, she created and executed trade development programs at Parallel 36 and Colangelo & Partners in New York for clients such as D.O. Cava, D.O. Vinos de Madrid, Wines of Spain, Ribera y Rueda, and Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe & Dogliani.

Christian is a dedicated wine enthusiast with 15+ years of experience in the wine industry, including several years leading worldwide projects at Concha y Toro and stints as General Manager for wineries in Mendoza. He holds WSET Level 3 certification and a Diploma in Wines from the Faculty of Agronomy at Universidad Católica de Chile, as well as a Master's in International Business Management. Still a curious wine geek at heart, he is always looking forward to discovering something new — preferably through a blind tasting with friends.

Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright is originally from Stellenbosch, South Africa and now lives Toronto, Canada. Jenny has worked on all sides of the wine industry , from being co-owner of Warwick Wine Estate, Stellenbosch to production, global sales, media, PR, and writing, as well as being a wine buyer for a South African grocery chain. She was the founding editor of WineStyle magazine, a South African wine and lifestyle publication.

Jenny is a Cape Wine Master, the highest qualification in wine education in South Africa, and she was the youngest person at the time to have achieved this title in 2004.
In 2018, she moved to Canada where she works for the Peter Igel Group, leading the wine department supplying bulk wines sourced globally to North American customers and specializing in private label wines to grocers. Jenny is the first Canadian panel chair for the MundusVini wine competition in Neustadt, Germany, a judge for the National Wine Awards of Canada and is a Senior Judge at the International Wine Challenge.

Hector Riquelme has enjoyed working in the world of wine and gastronomy for more than 25 years. He has worked as a sommelier in different hotels, restaurants and wine shops, as well as in distribution and founded a website for online sales. Hector has been a judge and chair in numerous local and international wine competitions, written columns for print and online media, and co- authored a prestigious guide to wines from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Most recently, he has developed a career as a wine consultant for wineries in Argentina and Chile.

Wine educator, technical sommelier, and institutional director with over 25 years of experience in wine education. Co-founder and Academic Director of CAVE (Centro Argentino de Vinos y Espirituosas). Best Sommelier of Argentina (2002) and Gérard Basset Foundation Golden Vines®️ Scholar. She holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits, is a WSET Certified Educator, and is a Stage 2 Candidate at the Institute of Masters of Wine. Possesses comprehensive global wine region expertise across classical, emerging, and niche terroirs.

Mariana Torta is an accomplished international sommelier and wine specialist with 24 years of experience across South America and Europe.

Currently serving as Brand Ambassador & LATAM Area Manager for Wines of Argentina in São Paulo, she has held top positions as Head Sommelier for prestigious gastronomy groups in Buenos Aires and led fine wine importing portfolios featuring French, Italian, and New Zealand producers. Her international career spans high-profile tasting events in France and Luxembourg, and currently Argentinian wines tasting throughout Latin America.

Born in Japan where his family has grown Japanese wine grape, Koshu, for generations, Toshio grew up helping the business from a young age. Following his college education in the US and employment at an international trading company in Tokyo, Toshio joined Chateraise, a pastry and wine company as Director of Sales. There, he was put in charge of overseeing the personal wine collection of the company's president, which intrigued him to enter the world of wine stewardship and research. Toshio is also an Emiritus Director of Society of Wine Educators, and a member of Circle of Wine Writers, Association of Wine Educators and International Drinks Specialists.

Kate Webber is the wine director of the Webber Restaurant Group in Massachusetts, which operates 4 restaurants, multiple catering facilities, a 3-acre organic vegetable farm, and a pinball joint. Kate has judged multiple wine competitions in the United States and the UK and is a wine and spirits writer, teacher, and speaker, with a focus on the United States and Australia. Kate is also an award-winning gingerbread house creator and is learning how to play the banjo.

Gabi Zimmer is a Uruguayan sommelier and the founder and CEO of Tinta, a wine marketing and communications agency with offices in Uruguay and Chile. She also founded Tinta Academy, the first WSET-approved school in Uruguay, and wrote the book Uruguay en vinos. She has visited more than 500 wineries around the world and tastes Uruguayan and Brazilian wines for Tim Atkin MW. Her work is about telling the stories behind Latin American wine and opening new doors for producers and wine professionals.

Cathy is a Master of Wine living and working mostly in South Africa. She lectures and judges locally and internationally, occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world, is a director of South Africa's Old Vine Project and the incoming Chairman of the Land of Hope Trust.

Erin Larkin reviews the wines of Australia and New Zealand for Robert Parker Wine Advocate, a role which takes her to the great vineyards of the world. Previously a taster for the James Halliday Wine Companion, a Len Evans Tutorial laureate, and a contributor to wine publications, Larkin has spent more than a decade judging at wineshows both in Australia and overseas. Originally trained in fashion, she has a keen interest in the role that vineyards and farming play in the world of fine wine.

Yang is the first Chinese master sommelier in the world, and the leading figure in China wine market.

Kenichi (Ken) Ohashi MW is a leading Japanese wine and Sake distributor in Tokyo with accolades from the industry. Awarded Best Wine Merchant 1999 by Japan Sommelier Association he has shown his intricate knowledge of the subject both at home and abroad.

He is author of "Natural Wine" and is the online wine columnist of Japan's top wine publication 'Wine Report'. He holds a Diploma from WSET in London and has been certified as a Master of Sake (SSI) and Sake Expert Assessor (NRIB). In addition, he has started exporting his selection of Sake and Japanese wines to the world market. He is a Master of Wine and was also awarded the Personality of the Year 2016 by IWC.

Kenn Ching is a Singapore-based wine educator, judge and consultant with more than 23 years of experience in the wine industry spinning across Singapore, China and Indonesia.

A WSET Level 4 Diploma holder, Kenn has been an International Wine Challenge (IWC) judge since 2014 and has also judged at the Victorian Wine Show 2025 and G100 Super Wine Awards in China. He is an alumnus of the Australian Wine Assessment Course (AWAC34), with strong ties to Australia's professional wine assessment and judging community.

Kenn has hands-on winemaking experience in both Australia and Ningxia, China, providing practical exposure to viticulture, cellar operations and winemaking. He has also served as an official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador, InterRhône Educator, Barossa Wine Educator and New Zealand Wine Educator.

Fluent in English and Mandarin, Kenn delivers advanced wine education and professional wine events bilingually, with extensive experience across Asia and China. As a judge, he places particular emphasis on objectivity, consistency, precision and assessing wines within their appropriate regional and stylistic context.

Brett Crittenden is a graduate of Australia's Roseworthy College and has more than 40 years' experience as an international wine judge. His career has spanned wine retailing, importing, education and international business development, including 12 years with LVMH's Champagne and sparkling wine operations and extensive work in the fine wine market.

Today, Brett works independently with leading wine estates from France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Italy. A highly respected judge, he served as a Panel Chair at the International Wine Challenge and was regular senior judge at the Royal Melbourne Wine show for many years. Brett has lived and worked in Australia, Argentina and the United Kingdom and remains actively involved in the global wine community.

Jennifer Docherty is a Master of Wine — the first ethnically Chinese and Mandarin-speaking MW among around 420 worldwide, and one of only four residing in Hong Kong. She has over 16 years of experience in the wine industry, primarily as a buyer and educator across the UK, Hong Kong, and mainland China, and now works freelance as an educator (WSET and HKU SPACE), judge, and wine communicator championing the joy of drinking wine in moderation.

She has chaired a judging panel at the IWC Sake Competition in London for a decade, and also holds a Master of Science in Applied Neuroscience from King's College London alongside a current PhD at The University of Hong Kong.

Raised among the vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand, Jack Glover has built a distinguished career at the intersection of wine, marketing, and leadership. A Stage 2 Practical Master of Wine candidate, International Senior Wine Judge, and Len Evans Tutorial Scholar, Jack brings more than 20 years of global experience across premium wine brands including Accolade Wines, Pernod Ricard, and Mud House Wine Group.

Today, he leads the global marketing and sales function at Hill-Smith Family Estates, one of Australia's most respected family-owned wine companies.

Brendan has been successfully and concurrently making a diverse range of table and sparkling wines styles for well over the past 25 years, as well as being a master blender, maker and custodian of some of the oldest and richest fortified wine stock in Australia.

Brendan studied winemaking and viticulture at Charles Sturt University. Brendan routinely gives educational tutorials to wine and agriculture students as well as mentoring/consulting to multiple businesses. He is also an established wine judge regularly Judging throughout Asia, Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Mathilda Hill-Smith hails from an Australian winemaking family, so it is not
surprising she is wine and food-obsessed.  In Melbourne, she schlepped plates at City Wine Shop, Coda and the Trader House Group before moving to London in 2018. There, she built a career in communications, working with an enviable list of companies, including Domaine
Clarence Dillon (Château Haut-Brion, Château Quintus), Château de Santenay, and
two-Michelin-starred Le Clarence in Paris.

She later joined the historic Berry Bros. & Rudd as a Brand Manager. In 2021, she
was named one of Harpers Wine & Spirits' 30 Under 30: Faces of the Future.
Now back in Australia, Mathilda works across multiple facets of Shaw + Smith and
Tolpuddle Vineyard - including public relations, hospitality and managing the
Western Australian market - and contributes to Escape Magazine as a travel writer.
She is also a founding director of The Tranche Scholarship, supporting emerging
leaders in the Australian wine and hospitality industry, and co-host of The
Hospitality Edit podcast.

With a Bachelor of Communications and Public Relations, a Professional Diploma
in Digital Marketing and WSET Levels 2 & 3, Mathilda's passion for wine and food
communications is also an educated one. She has judged at the Clare Valley Wine
Show and Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Jacqueline Jubel is a New Zealand-based sommelier and wine professional with a background spanning hospitality, wine service, wine education, and judging. She is the Restaurant Manager at No.7 Balmac, and sommelier at The Cellar Dunedin. She manages three diverse wine lists that keep her closely connected to trends both locally and globally.

Jackie has judged with the New World Wine Awards and the Aotearoa National Wine Awards since 2023. Since 2026, she has been a tutor with WineEdCo. She holds her WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, has completed qualifications with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying towards a Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science.

Jackie has been named among New Zealand's Top 100 Sommeliers, placed in the Top 5 Female Sommeliers, and has been awarded multiple industry scholarships, including the 2025 Visa Hospitality Scholarship and the Golden Vines Wine Scholar Guild Scholarship.

Born and raised in the UK, Richard started his career as a chef before settling in South Africa in 1999 and became a Master of Wine in 2011. He established Kershaw Wines in 2012 to create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wines in the Elgin Valley, the country's coolest wine region, and now has a stable of award-winning wines focused on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

As South Africa's only winemaking Master of Wine, he is much in demand when not in the vineyard or cellar. A wine show judge for prestigious competitions around the globe, he is also part of the educational panel for the Institute of Masters of Wine, lectures for the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) in South Africa, and shares the breadth of his knowledge with students and consumers via talks, podcasts, tastings and blogs.

Atsuko Radcliffe is a Japanese winemaker with 40 years of experience, including vintages in France and across Australia. She owns Small Forest in the Upper Hunter, New South Wales, where she lives and makes her wines. Atsuko has judged wine for the IWC since 2015. Alongside her winemaking career, she gained 18 months of hands-on sake-brewing experience in Japan. She has judged sake for the IWC since 2012 and is currently an IWC Sake Panel Chair.

Minobu Kondo is a journalist for "Wine Report," Japan's leading specialized online wine media and is currently involved in operations at a Japanese winery. Holding WSET Diploma, J.S.A.Sommelier Excellence, A.S.I. Sommelier Diploma – Gold, Japan Wine Master, SAKE Diploma, SAKE Diploma International, WSET SAKE L3, WSET-Certified Instructor.

Phoebe LeMessurier is now based in Piccadilly Valley, and is a marketing and branding specialist with more than 20 years' experience and multiple vintages under her belt. Phoebe's career in the wine industry spans Australia, the UK, Belgium and France.

Phoebe and her partner are currently setting up a single-vineyard Chardonnay project across the UK and the Adelaide Hills called Kozmos Wines. She also holds a degree in Wine Marketing and the WSET Diploma, and has over ten years' experience as an IWC judge.

Fraser Mackenzie DipWSET is a New Zealand wine professional and consultant who splits his time between Central Otago and the Barossa Valley. With more than 20 years' international wine industry experience, his work spans commercial strategy, export, distribution, market development, and winery leadership.

Rie Matsuki holds the ASI Gold Diploma, the WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines, and the WSET® Level 3 Award in Sake. She currently works at intertWine K×M Yamajin in Tokyo under the guidance of Kenichi Ohashi MW and is also a WSET® educator at Caplan Wine Academy.

Rie began her career as a sommelier in Japan before moving to France, where she spent six years working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Provence and Paris. Upon returning to Japan, she became Senior Sommelier at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. In 2014, she placed fourth in the Best Sommelier Competition of Japan, achieving the highest ranking by a Japanese woman at the time.

Motohiro Okoshi was born in Hokkaido, Japan, and spent three years in France studying viticulture and winemaking. After serving as Chef Sommelier at Ginza L'Ecrin, they became an independent wine taster and sommelier in 2013.

Motohiro Okoshi travels internationally throughout the year, visiting wineries and restaurants, and works as a consultant and lecturer for Japan Airlines, leading restaurants, importers and wine retailers. They are also known for their logical approach to pairing wine, sake and shochu with food and they run two modern Vietnamese restaurants in Tokyo.

Beyond Australia, Sean judges internationally and is actively involved in developing wine and beverage education across Asia. Sean Ou DipWSET is Head of Education at The Beverage Clique Academy in Singapore & Malaysia, an international wine judge and educator with more than a decade of experience in wine, hospitality and professional education.

Takako serves as the Buyer Team Manager at Mottox Inc., one of Japan's premier wine and spirits importers established in 1915. In this role, she leads a broad scope of buyer operations, specializing in global sourcing, brand building, portfolio strategy, inventory management, and trade education. Overseeing an extensive international portfolio across 24 countries, she directs purchasing strategies spanning Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and emerging wine regions.

Takako previously served as a panel judge for the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC). She holds the WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate and is an official author and editor for the Japan Sommelier Association (J.S.A.) textbook.

Iain Riggs has more than 50 years of winemaking, grape growing and management experience that extends from the South Australian Riverland to Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale. Iain arrived in the Hunter Valley to join Brokenwood Wines in 1982 and became part owner, Chief Winemaker and Managing Director from 1985
After 38 years at the helm, Riggs has stepped back from the day-to-day but retains ongoing part ownership and serves as a consultant.

Iain is currently Chair of the Board of Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Industry experience includes being an inaugural Board Member of the Winemakers Federation of Australia from 1989, its Vice-President, and President of the Small Winemakers Forum of Australia. Riggs also chaired the WFA Technical Sub-Committee for many years.

Iain's judging experience over 40 years includes Chair of Sydney Royal Wine Show – for 6 years, Chair of Hunter Valley Wine Show – for 10 years, as well as judging and Chair of many regional and state wine shows. International judging includes 9 years as Chair of the Shanghai International Wine Challenge. Most recently, as Panel Chair for Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, Macau, 2024-2026. As a Board Member and Tutor of the Len Evans Tutorial, Iain has mentored and guided many up-and-coming Australian wine industry personnel over the, to date, 24-year life of the LET. The Len Evans Tutorial, a week-long immersion into judging and tasting the great wines from the northern and southern hemispheres, has been described by James Halliday as 'the greatest wine school in the world'.

Iain continues to contribute to the local Hunter Valley wine industry as Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association's Bicentennial Committee and the Living Legends Committee. Iain has been recognised for his contribution over the years with many awards, including the Graham Gregory Award for contribution to the New South Wales wine industry, the Wine Communicators Australia Legend of the Vine, and more recently made a Living Legend of the Hunter Valley. In 2018, Iain was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Australian Wine Industry.

When not immersed in wine, Iain can be found managing the Mistress Block Vineyard Boutique Accommodation and Vineyard. And occasionally on the golf course.

Nick Ryan is the Senior Wine Writer at The Australian and a Columnist for the world's most prestigious wine magazine, The World of Fine Wine. He's a graduate of the Len Evans Tutoria; and the inaugural winner of the 67 Pall Mall Wine Communicator Award for Short Form Writing.

As Executive Director of Beverage Operations for Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, Mr. Just Wong leads the comprehensive beverage strategies and operations across both integrated resorts. In this role, he oversees the world-class wine programs and beverage offerings across all dining establishments, cellar programs, and signature venues. Just also serves as the Project Leader for the prestigious Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards (CWA), spearheading the premier global platform dedicated to celebrating, evaluating, and showcasing exceptional Chinese fine wines on the international stage.

He was inducted as a Commandeur d'Honneur by the historic Commanderie du Bontemps of the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, and Barsac, underscoring his deep ties to Bordeaux's finest estates.

Helen McGinn is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and former supermarket buyer, blending commercial insight with exceptional communication skill. She spent nearly a decade sourcing wines for Tesco, gaining a deep understanding of buying strategy, pricing, quality control and global supply chains.

Helen created The Knackered Mother's Wine Club, which grew into a bestselling book and established her as one of the UK's most relatable wine voices. She writes a weekly column for the Daily Mail and appears regularly on UK television, including The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Winner of multiple communication awards, Helen brings warmth, clarity and strong consumer insight to the IWC. As Co-Chair, she confirms medal-level wines and supports the competition's focus on fairness, repeat tasting and cross-checking.

Many of these experts have long been part of the IWC judging community. In 2026, we are formally recognising their contribution and the unique commercial insight they bring to the results.

Dr Jamie Goode is one of the world's leading wine thinkers, known for combining scientific expertise with an intuitive, open-minded palate. He holds a PhD in plant biology and began his career as a science editor before becoming a full-time wine writer.

Jamie runs wineanorak.com, a pioneering site with global readership, and writes regularly for the Sunday Express and numerous trade and consumer publications. His books, including Wine Science and I Taste Red, are widely used in wine education.

He judges internationally and brings calm analysis, clarity and scientific insight to the IWC. Jamie has won multiple awards for wine writing and speaks at conferences and masterclasses worldwide.

As Co-Chair, he reviews all Gold and Trophy contenders and helps maintain fairness and consistency throughout the competition.

Peter McCombie MW is a New Zealand-born, London-based Master of Wine with decades of experience across buying, consulting, teaching and global judging. He began championing Italian wines at Winecellars and gained deep commercial insight across both on-trade and off-trade roles.

Peter now runs a successful consultancy helping restaurants, hotels and wine businesses refine lists, sourcing and training. He teaches for WSET and the Christie's Wine Course, guiding everyone from beginners to MW candidates.

Known for his balanced palate and global tasting experience, Peter is a trusted voice in the industry. As Co-Chair, he reviews wines rising through the IWC's multi-stage assessment pathway, confirming medal-level wines with technical precision and contextual understanding.

I have been in the wine trade for 30 years and judging at the IWC for 20, going into the industry straight from University. I have worked in retail, for a fine wine agency, for Wine Magazine and as a Wine Buyer with responsibility for Australia, New Zealand, the Loire, England and Central & Eastern Europe. I became a Master of Wine in 2011 and am now a freelance consultant and wine writer.

Kenichi (Ken) Ohashi MW is a leading Japanese wine and Sake distributor in Tokyo with accolades from the industry. Awarded Best Wine Merchant 1999 by Japan Sommelier Association he has shown his intricate knowledge of the subject both at home and abroad.

He is author of "Natural Wine" and is the online wine columnist of Japan's top wine publication 'Wine Report'. He holds a Diploma from WSET in London and has been certified as a Master of Sake (SSI) and Sake Expert Assessor (NRIB). In addition, he has started exporting his selection of Sake and Japanese wines to the world market. He is a Master of Wine and was also awarded the Personality of the Year 2016 by IWC.

Simon Hofstra is one of the leading sake experts worldwide, specialises in consulting, importing, exporting, promoting, distributing, educating and selling sake.
His Japanese Liquor store Ma Sake and the online shop Sake.nl has the largest assortment of Japanese alcoholic beverages in Europe, with over 550 products, serving 22 countries.
Simon Hofstra was awarded the prestigious title Sake Samurai in 2009, he won the Sake Contribution Award in 2008 as most valuable person for sake worldwide and is WSET educator for sake up to the highest level. His In 2024 special designed sake glass made by Sophienwald is recognised as the best sake glass on the market by most sake experts.

Ake is a Diploma sommelier, founder & owner of Akebono Unlimited AB. Founded in 1995 Akebono is today the Scandinavian leading importer and distributor of Japanese Sake. In 1990 he started to travel Japan and visit Sake breweriers to gain a deep understanding of the process and has since then visit Japan more than 50 times. The last nine years he has been a teacher of two of Sweden's sommelier schools and weekly been giving lectures and seminars of sake to professionals and amateurs at university level and trade shows. He also does annually guided gourmet trips to Japans Sake breweries and the interesting Izakaya world.

Natsuki Kikuya is an sake educator and sake consultant. After developing her career at the well-known sake retail shop Hasegawa Saketen in Tokyo, Japan then at Zuma & Roka restaurants in London, UK as a sake sommelier, she had set up “Museum of Sake”, an agency to provide education and promotion of sake in UK. She has helped to launch Level 3 Awards in Sake at Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), which counted over 5,000 candidates in 27 countries this 2019. She was also awarded as “Sake Samurai” in 2015.

Jennifer Docherty is a Master of Wine and a Master of Sake. She was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada but left at age eighteen to study fashion design in New York City. Her love of gastronomy led her to pursue part-time WSET wine courses which inspired her to change careers. After six years of study, she became a Master of Wine in 2015. Her love of Sake and learning has also earned her the WSET level 3 Award in Sake and the Master of Sake (SSI). She currently resides in London and is a buyer for Liberty Wines.