Who's Coming

Master of Wine, broadcaster, co-host of Wine Blast podcast, writer and presenter

Susie Barrie MW is one of the UK's most influential wine communicators. A Master of Wine and award-winning broadcaster, writer and presenter, she co-hosts the internationally acclaimed Wine Blast podcast alongside her husband and fellow MW Peter Richards. Susie has built a global audience through her work across television, radio, publishing and live events, and in 2026 launched the New Zealand Wines of the Year project, celebrating the country's most exciting wines through dedicated content, reporting and trade engagement in the UK market.

Dublin-based food, wine and travel journalist and wine columnist for the Irish Independent.

Aoife Carrigy is a leading Irish food, wine and travel journalist and the weekly wine columnist for the Irish Independent, one of Ireland's largest media outlets. Known for her engaging storytelling and focus on sustainability, food culture and travel, Aoife regularly introduces Irish consumers to wine regions, producers and trends from around the world.

Drinks writer, broadcaster, podcast host and consultant.

David Kermode is an award-winning wine communicator, broadcaster and judge with a significant profile across both trade and consumer audiences in the UK. He hosts the popular Drinking Hour podcast and contributes regularly to publications including Decanter, Club Oenologique, Harpers and The Buyer. Through his writing, broadcasting and social media presence, David helps shape conversations around wine for both industry and consumer audiences.

Broadcaster, educator, and wine culturalist.

Amelia Singer is an internationally recognised wine broadcaster, educator and cultural commentator. A presenter on The Wine Show and regular contributor to major UK media, Amelia connects wine with wider conversations around food, travel, culture and lifestyle. Through her work with leading wine regions, cultural institutions and luxury brands, she brings a fresh and highly engaging perspective to wine storytelling.

Drinks Business - Singapore-based wine writer and judge.

Nimmi Malhotra is a Singapore-based wine journalist and communicator whose work reaches audiences across Asia, the UK, Australia and India. An experienced writer, speaker and panel moderator, she contributes to leading wine and lifestyle publications and serves as a judge for prestigious international wine competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge.

Food and travel content creator and publisher.

Binny Shah-Patel is the award-winning creator of Binny's Food and Travel, a UK-based platform covering food, wine, luxury travel and lifestyle experiences. Through immersive storytelling and a highly engaged audience, she showcases destinations, producers and premium experiences, helping consumers discover the people and places behind exceptional food and wine.

General Manager  - Lady of the Grapes (Covent Garden & London Bridge), Wine Manager - Forbidden Fruit.

Monique Kim oversees award-winning wine programmes across three hospitality venues, managing wine procurement, list development, and staff education. Holding the WSET Diploma and advanced wine scholarship certifications, she is passionate about connecting guests with wine producers through storytelling, tastings and curated wine experiences that drive both engagement and sales.

Wine educator, consultant, and creator of Grape Chic.

Nicole Muscari is a New York-based wine educator, consultant, and founder of Grape Chic, a digital platform sharing wine and travel stories with an audience of more than 67,000 followers. A WSET Diploma holder and educator with the Sommelier Society of America, Nicole is known for showcasing wine regions through approachable, engaging, and visually rich storytelling.

Wine Enthusiast reviewer and writer.

Christina Pickard is one of the most influential voices covering Australian and New Zealand wine globally. As a reviewer and writer for Wine Enthusiast, she assesses more than 1,500 wines annually and reports extensively on New Zealand, Australia and other key wine regions. Her work reaches both trade and consumer audiences across some of the world's most respected wine publications.

Certified Sommelier, educator and content creator.

Samantha Capaldi, known online as the "No Snob Somm", is a Certified Sommelier and one of the fastest-growing wine communicators in the United States. Through a community of more than 470,000 followers across social media, she makes wine approachable and accessible while introducing consumers to producers, wine regions, and new discoveries through engaging educational content.

Founder of Cru Luv Selections and wine communicator.

Jermaine Stone is a New York-based wine entrepreneur, content creator, and founder of Cru Luv Selections. Recognised by Wine Enthusiast's 40 Under 40, Jermaine is known for connecting wine with broader conversations around culture, music and lifestyle, helping introduce wine to new and diverse audiences through innovative storytelling and partnerships.

Writer, editor, sommelier, and photographer.

Kate Dingwall is a highly respected writer, editor, sommelier, and photographer whose work appears in publications including Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, Food & Wine, Decanter, Elle, and Vogue. Covering the intersection of wine, business, travel, and culture, she brings a thoughtful and contemporary perspective to wine storytelling.

Sommelier at Maxwell Park and Pop Fizz.

Arthur Pescan is a Washington, DC-based sommelier at the award-winning wine bars Maxwell Park and Pop Fizz. Known for his passion for wine education and discovery, Arthur plays a key role in shaping wine programmes and introducing consumers to exciting producers and regions through one of the United States' most vibrant wine scenes.

Sommelier, educator, writer, and founder of Tasting Climate Change.

Michelle Bouffard is one of Canada's leading wine educators, writers and sustainability advocates. A WSET Diploma holder and Master of Wine candidate, she is the founder of the internationally recognised Tasting Climate Change symposium and regularly writes, teaches and speaks on the future of wine, sustainability and consumer engagement.

Category Manager, BCLIQUOR.

Lesley Brown is Category Manager for Wine at BCLIQUOR, overseeing key international wine categories including New Zealand. With more than 25 years of experience across sales, marketing, supplier partnerships, and category management, she plays an important role in identifying consumer trends, building supplier relationships, and shaping one of Canada's largest retail wine portfolios.

Wine communicator, content creator, and marketing professional.

Hedy Zhou is a Chinese wine communicator, content creator, and marketing specialist who reaches a growing audience through her Xiaohongshu (RED) platform, "一杯倒的 Lantee". Combining expertise in wine, hospitality, and luxury lifestyle marketing, she collaborates with leading beverage, hospitality, and lifestyle brands while creating engaging content focused on wine, food, and travel experiences.

Wine journalist and content strategist.

Nancy Lan is a Chinese wine journalist and Senior Editor at Wine Magazine. Specialising in interviews, features and industry reporting, she regularly engages with leading figures across the global wine trade. Her background combines hands-on winery experience with extensive tasting and judging expertise, bringing both technical knowledge and consumer relevance to her work.

Wine Director, JingAn Shangri-La Shanghai

Fengyuan "King" Wang is Wine Director at JingAn Shangri-La Shanghai and one of China's most decorated sommeliers. A national sommelier champion and Advanced Sommelier, he oversees the hotel's wine programme and staff education while influencing wine selection, consumer experiences, and training across one of China's leading luxury hospitality brands

Sommelier, Conrad Tokyo.

Fuko Oyoshihara is a Supervisor Sommelier at Conrad Tokyo, one of Japan's leading luxury hotels. Having trained in both France and Japan, she combines international hospitality experience with a deep appreciation for wine, producers, and regional stories. Fuko is passionate about connecting guests with the craftsmanship and people behind every bottle through tastings, events, and wine education.

Food and wine professional.

Phil Conway is a food, wine, and travel professional with a passion for discovering and sharing memorable wine and culinary experiences. Through his exploration of wine regions, restaurants, and hospitality destinations, Phil actively connects with like-minded wine and food enthusiasts and advocates for the stories behind great producers and places.

Managing Editor, National Liquor News.

Deb Jackson is Managing Editor of National Liquor News, Australia's leading liquor industry publication. An award-winning journalist with extensive experience covering wine, beer and spirits, she is a trusted voice within the Australian drinks trade, connecting producers, retailers and industry professionals through insightful reporting and analysis.

National Travel Editor, Broadsheet.

Nadia Bailey is the National Travel Editor at Broadsheet, one of Australia's most influential lifestyle and destination media platforms. Covering travel, food, drink and culture, Nadia helps shape how Australian consumers discover destinations and experiences, with a strong focus on place-based storytelling and contemporary travel trends.

Head of Wine Operations 67 Pall Mall, Sydney

Alexander Jacques is Head of Wine Operations at 67 Pall Mall Sydney, part of the internationally acclaimed private members' club for wine lovers. An Advanced Sommelier with experience at leading restaurants including Bennelong, Quay and Geranium in Copenhagen, he brings deep expertise in fine wine, luxury hospitality and premium wine consumer engagement.

Head Sommelier, The Lodge Rodd & Gunn, Melbourne

Russ Wilcox is Head Sommelier at The Lodge, Rodd & Gunn's flagship hospitality destination in Melbourne. He leads the venue's wine programme, curating wine experiences that connect producers, consumers, food and hospitality. His role provides valuable insight into premium wine trends and consumer engagement within the Australian on-premise market.

Felicity Carter, Founder of Drinks Insider and Editorial Director of Areni Global, will bring her expert global perspective on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, exploring where it stands today and what may lie ahead. “New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has had the most impressive run of any wine style of the modern era, and now it's doing it again - with the turn towards fresher, lighter styles of white wine, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine to meet the times,” says Felicity.

Charlotte Dagueneau, Daughter of the late Didier Dagueneau. Charlotte shares the story of his transformative impact on Pouilly-Fumé, where he challenged convention and redefined what Sauvignon Blanc could be. Charlotte brings a deeply personal connection to the grape, along with a thoughtful, independent perspective on New Zealand shaped by her own journey in wine.

We are honoured to welcome Professor Rangi Matamua (Tūhoe) PhD ONZM FRSNZ to SBNZ27. One of Aotearoa’s leading voices in mātauranga Māori, Rangi is a pioneering scholar, storyteller and communicator whose work has transformed the way many of us understand Matariki, Māori astronomy, maramataka and our relationship with the natural world.

Grounded in whakapapa, whenua and the rhythms of the environment, Rangi brings mātauranga Māori and Western science into powerful conversation. His opening session will invite us to look up, look back and look ahead, setting the tone for a day dedicated to the spirit of Aotearoa, and the people, places and stories that give New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc its unmistakable sense of place.

@mancancooknz Just a guy and his pug doing what they do best. Teaching ‘Mankind’ how to cook while looking jacked, shredded and always vibing to good music.