Introducing our Tasting Panel...

The New Zealand Wine Society Tasting Panel is a knowledgeable group of wine professionals, all with many years of industry experience.

Their aim is clear: to bring you an extensive choice of quality wines, along with the best deals possible.

This highly qualified bunch tastes their way through hundreds of wines from all over New Zealand and Australia to find you the very best – from everyday quaffers to rare collectables.

All the wines tasted are judged using NZ Wine Show criteria – and we only offer you wines that have achieved a medal-winning equivalent score. That makes all the wines in our growing cellar at least Bronze Medal standard. And it’s with pleasure – and passion – that the New Zealand Wine Society delivers them to you.

Vic Williams

Vic is the New Zealand Wine Society’s Cellar Director and our face. He’s well qualified for the role although food and wine didn’t become the greater part of his life until he was in his early 20s. Once he discovered wine he was smitten.

When Vic’s not in the office he represents us as a guest speaker, consults on New Zealand wine for Cathay Pacific Airways and is a prolific writer and broadcaster. He’s penned 10 editions of the Penguin New Zealand Wine Guide and co-authored a selection of food and wine books.

You’re bound to have read Vic’s columns and articles, or heard him on national radio shows.

Bob Campbell MW

We’re privileged to have Bob Campbell join the panel. Bob was the second New Zealander and one of only 276 people in the world to hold the Master of Wine qualification. In 1990 he founded The Wine Gallery, an Auckland-based wine school, and more than 21,000 have attended his courses and seminars.

Somehow he also finds time to write and is the wine editor for various magazines, including Taste and North and South. He is also a regular contributor to highly respected international publications and reference books.

After 21 years, Bob recently retired as chairman of judges at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, but still judges at major national and international wine shows.

Jo Gear

Jo Gear is a winemaking golden girl, with a raft of hit wines to her name.

She started her illustrious career at Matua in 2001 after completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. Now she’s won more medals and trophies for her wines than she could possibly carry.

Jo’s enjoyed tremendous Show success with mainly white wines. She favours making Sauvignon Blanc because of the variety’s quick turn-around, and her finely-honed palate for whites makes her an invaluable Panel member.

Mark Robertson

With more than 25 years of winemaking experience, Mark has crafted scores of trophy and award-winning wines.

While he was the Chief Winemaker at Matua Valley Wines he collected the award for Winestate Magazine NZ Winemaker of the Year and won World’s Best Chardonnay at the 2002 London International Wine and Spirit Competition.

It’s comes as no surprise then, to learn Mark is also a respected International Wine Show Judge.

Now you’ve met them...

So these are the talented folk who select, taste and approve every single New Zealand Wine Society wine.

They’re the reason you can open every bottle in every case with confidence, knowing it’s been judged with New Zealand Wine Show criteria.

But in the end you’re the only judge who counts – and that’s why every bottle comes with our 100% money-back guarantee. Enjoy!