MEET THE 2009 COMPETITION'S JUDGING PANEL

Our 2009 Panel Of Fourteen Judges Represent Six Countries.

Kym Milne MW (SA/AU) Chairman of Judges
Kym graduated from Roseworthy College with a first degree in Applied Science (Oenology) in 1980. In 1991 he entered the British Master of Wine course and remains one of the very few candidates to pass all phases of their exams at first attempt. A highly successful nine year tenure with Villa Maria Estates, the last five as Chief Winemaker, greatly elevated his industry profile. The next ten years, from 1992 to 2002, were spent as a flying winemaker, most of the period as Director of Winemaking Operations, for UK based International Wine Services. Kym now conducts his own winemaking consultancy, Global Wine Solutions, from a base in the Adelaide Hills. This will be Kym's ninth appearance on the Sydney International's Panel, and fourth as Chairman of Judges.

Adrian Atkinson (UK)
Wine Development Director for Pernod Ricard UK, Adrian offers a vital link between his group's winemakers and their market places around the world. His responsibilities include new product development, blending, wine styles and quality for a wide ranging portfolio of wineries, including Orlando Wyndham (Australia), Montana, Stoneleigh, Lindauer, Corbans, Framingham (New Zealand). Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus, Aura, Alborand Marques de Arienzo, Palacio de la Vega (Spain), Champagne Mumm, Champagne Perrier-Jouet (France), Clos du Bois, Beuna Vista, Atlas Peak, Mumm Cuvée Napa, Gary Farrell, Ramal Road (USA), Etchart (Argentina).

Paul White (NZ)
Dr Paul White is an American freelance winewriter and editor, international wine judge and lecturer, currently based in Wellington, New Zealand. Annually he tastes and assesses thousands of wines from all over the world, and currently contributes to European publications: Decanter, World of Fine Wine, Harpers, Slow Food, and Russian Fine Wine, and the US's Sante. His PhD degree from Oxford University is in music, where he captained the blind wine tasting team and ran the university's wine society. Paul is currently the longest serving member of the Sydney International's Panel, and is also a regular judge at Europe's Mondial de Bruxelles, and London's International Wine Challenge. He is also one of the world's leading experts on wine closures.

Andrew Wigan (SA/AU)
Andrew Wigan is the highly decorated Senior Winemaker for Barossa based Peter Lehmann Wines. Roseworthy graduate and Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry) he has just completed his 29th vintage for the Lehmann Brand. Awarded "International Winemaker of the Year" by London based International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2003 - and again in 2006, Andrew demurs from accepting all the credit, insisting "such success is always a team effort."

Neil Hadley MW (NSW/AU)
Export Manager for Taylors Wines of Clare, originally from the UK, Neil began his career in wine in 1984 working for such prestigious British merchants as Grants of St James, specialising in staff and customer education. He migrated to Australia in 1993, the same year he graduated as Master of Wine. Since then, an inveterate traveller, his International Marketing expertise has led him to senior management positions with Rosemount Estate, Penfolds Wines and Villa Maria Estate (NZ).

Patrick Farrell MW (USA)
Physician, wine writer, and wine educator. Also self-proclaimed "tannin tamer" as CEO of start-up company producing BevWizard wine and spirits smoothers. MW since 1998 and VP of Institute of Masters of Wine, North America. Patrick teaches blind tasting to MW students and has served as an educator, mentor and examiner. Much judging and even more travel to vineyards and wineries around the globe.

Cathy van Zyl MW (SAF)
Cathy completed her Master of Wine in 2005, the third South African to do so and the first to do so whilst still resident in South Africa. She is Associate Editor of the John Platter South African Wine Guide, co-founder of the website Grape, a co-contributor to Tom Stevenson's annual Wine Report, lectures for the Cape Wine Academy, is currently mentoring three students enrolled in the MW courses, and writes on a freelance basis for a handful of wine magazines.

Ken Dobler (NSW/AU)
Ken is a medical practitioner in the Hunter Valley where, until recently, he was also vineyard owner and winemaker. His interest in wine was stimulated during his student years at Sydney Uni, writing the Food and Wine column for their Medical Society's magazine. Wine show judging commenced in the early 1990's and, although restricted by his professional commitments, he still finds time to judge Sydney, Canberra and Hunter Shows. This will be Ken's 3rd appearance with the Sydney International's Panel.

Mark Robertson (SA/AU)
Mark Robertson is GM & Chief Winemaker of Cellarmaster Wines. New Zealand born, Roseworthy graduate with a first degree in Science from Otago University. As Chief Winemaker at Matua Valley Wines he won numerous national and international awards including the IW&SC "Best Overall Chardonnay" in 2002 and "NZ Winemaker of the Year in 1999". Prior to his current employment, Mark spent five years with the Fosters Group, overseeing six of their Boutique wineries.

Debra Meiburg (Hong Kong)
Originally from California, longtime resident of Hong Kong, Debra, former Wine Professor, School of Hospitality, Rochester School of Technology, Qualified Wine Educator, Qualified Wine Judge, judging internationally on four continents. Recently officially advised she has passed her final Master of Wine examinations, Debra hopes to have confirmation of her MW status by October, probably the very first resident Asian MW. Writing a popular weekly wine column in the South China Morning Post, she was recently voted "Most Influential Wine Journalist in Hong Kong" by 500 members of the wine trade.

Luca Mazzoleni (Italy)
Marketing Director & Chief Buyer for New York based "Selected Estates of Europe", Luca's first job was tasting co-ordinator and PA to the Chief Editor of "Vini di Veronelli", one of Italy's most respected wine guides, where he trained as a professional taster for wine and olive oil. Still only 33, he has collaborated over the years with several Italian wine magazines such as "Gambero Rosso", "Slowfood Wine Guide", "Wine Report", "Porthos", "Go Wine", "L'Assaggiatore" and "Il Sommelier Italiano".

Tony Allen (UK)
Tony is a British based independent wine consultant and importer with a portfolio of predominantly European wineries. He spends several weeks each year in France assessing hundreds of current release wines for his British clients. After winning an Oddbins' scholarship he was invited to join their Buying Department. Over the next 9 years, he was responsible for their buying from France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, USA, Chile and Argentina.

Martin Williams MW (Vic/AU)
Based in the Yarra Valley, Martin owns a production consultancy business, Oenovation, and produces wine under his Metier and Milkwood labels. He is also long-term winemaker/consultant for Caledonia Australis Wine Co. in Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne. In addition to winemaking in a number of regions in Australia, he has production experience in Burgundy and California. Martin's winemaking qualification, an MS in Enology, was completed at UC Davis in 1991, and he passed the Master of Wine examinations in 1999.

Lynnette Hudson (NZ) Reserve Judge in Residence.
Majoring in biology and zoology at Auckland Uni, Lynette went on to Lincoln, graduating with Distinction in 1992 with Post Graduate Diplomas in Oenology and Viticulture. Her first vintage was in 1993 assisting at Omihi Hills and Pegasus Bay Winery, Waipara Region, North Canterbury at which latter Winery she has based herself ever since. Pinot Noir is her special interest, working two vintages a year, several in Burgundy, also Oregon and four other countries.