Introducing our Tasting Panel...
New Zealand Wine Society’s Tasting Panel is a knowledgeable group of wine professionals, all with stacks of industry experience.
This highly qualified bunch tastes their way through hundreds of wines from all over New Zealand, Australia and Europe to find the very best everyday quaffers and rare collectables and they’re the reason you can open every bottle with confidence, knowing it’s been judged with New Zealand Wine Show criteria.
Mark Robertson
In 25 years making wine, Mark has crafted scores of trophy and award-winners.
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.
Not surprisingly Mark’s in high demand as an International Wine Show Judge.
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.
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 success with white wines. She favours making Savvy because of the variety’s quick turn-around, and her finely-honed palate makes her an invaluable Panel member.
Bob Campbell MW
When it comes to wine, Bob really knows his stuff. He 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 Gourmet Traveller Wine.
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.