ProWein 2024 Germany

Andrew Santarossa has more than 25 years of winemaking experience with some of Australia's leading wine companies including Houghton’s, Giant Steps, Domaine Chandon, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay and Mitchelton as well as working with a number of wine companies in a consultant capacity. Andrew is an accomplished wine show judge, panel chair, and chair of judges across multiple regional and state wine shows. Andrew is now leading the winemaking team at Gapsted Estate where Alpine Valleys wines are being crafted that are reflective of variety and season while elevating and respecting our regional sense of place.

Emma Symington MW has worked in the wine trade for 18 years with previous roles including selling and buying wine. She is now Wine Australia’s Head of Education EMEA, organising and hosting a series of tastings, seminars and masterclasses to increase enthusiasm and knowledge in Australia’s wines and wine regions. After winning the Vintners' Cup and Vintners' Scholarship for the top WSET Diploma graduate in 2011, Emma embarked on the Master of Wine course, becoming an MW in 2015. A WSET-certified educator, Emma judges at several international wine competitions and won the Emerging Wine Writer category in the 2014 Louis Roederer Awards.

Paul is a regular speaker at master classes, wine dinners and trade tastings, Paul was the consultant wine buyer and educator for the award winning Must Wine Bar in Perth from 2004 until 2018, and regularly presents internationally on behalf of Margaret River Wine and Wine Australia. Paul successfully passed the tasting component of the demanding Master of Wine (MW) examination in 2003. He has held numerous executive roles in wine, including positions at Fraser Gallop Estate, Howard Park and Higher Plane, and is currently CEO at Overstory, overseeing the wine businesses Small Wonder in Tasmania, Wayfinder in Margaret River and Small Story Merchants in Melbourne.

Alistair Cooper MW is an independent British wine writer, judge, consultant and educator with over 18 years of experience in the industry. He regularly writes for JancisRobinson.com, Club Oenologique and Decanter.  He has also written for The Spectator, Harpers, Meiningers Wine Business and Drinks International. Alistair moved to Chile and Argentina in 2002 where he lived for four years, working for wineries in export management before moving back to the UK in 2006, and venturing into all aspects of trading from managing, buying and consulting for wine bars and restaurants to importing and wholesaling wines. Alistair now works as a freelance wine consultant and writer. Alistair has appeared on both television and radio in the UK, Chile and USA. Alistair is also the global consultant wine buyer for the Sydney-based Australian company United Cellars, Australia’s largest independent wine merchant.

After graduating from Roseworthy Oenological College in the early 1980s, Ross spent the next seven years in London during the Australian wine surge in the UK, Scandinavia and the US. Whilst in the UK, he opened a retail wine business in the City of London called Ostlers. Ostlers was a new world specialist, with a focus on Australian wine, and it was awarded the Decanter 'UK Young Wine Merchant of the Year’ in 1986. Ross returned to Australia and held positions as Export Director with several major Australian wineries and he took up the position with Blue Pyrenees in 2016.

Matt Deller MW is the CEO for Wirra Wirra and Ashton Hills, two of Australia’s most admired wineries.  He passed the Master of Wine exams in 2016 and is a member of the Governance Committee for the Institute of Masters of Wine. Prior to Wirra Wirra, Matt was Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer for Villa Maria in New Zealand and was based in the USA as Chief Operating Officer for TOR Wines Napa Valley, Chief Wine Officer for Wine Access, and as Director of Fine Wine Development for Constellation Brands. He judges international wine competitions such as Decanter World Wine Awards, TEXSOM International Wine Competition and the Sydney International Top 100 Wine Awards. He is an instructor on the faculty of Napa Valley Wine Academy, an expert panellist at several international wine events such as Vinexpo and is a member of the judging panel for the Wine Pinnacle Awards.

Stu Leece is an importer, exporter, wholesaler and producer of mainly wine.  After five years working for others, he established Single Vineyard Sellers in 2003, and hasn’t gone broke yet!  Still drinking and making wine on the basic premise, that if we wouldn’t drink it, we won’t sell it!  This spurious claim has kept the Single Vineyard Sellers on a righteous path, most of the time. 

Born into a grape-growing family in McLaren Vale, South Australia, Michael's journey into winemaking began at the tender age of six. This early exposure - crafting single barrels of Shiraz and Grenache, an annual family tradition - fueled his lifelong passion for wine. Armed with a Science degree from the University of Adelaide, he honed his skills in Oenology at Roseworthy College, graduating in 1990. Since then, Michael has dedicated himself to winemaking in McLaren Vale, earning prestigious awards, including the 2007 International Winemaker of the Year at the London IWSC. His deep respect for both land and vines inspired his involvement in the Scarce Earth program; which shines a spotlight on single block wines from across the region. Geology is another passion, and for the past 14 years, Michael has been an integral part of a working group exploring the region's potential districts. The upcoming 2024 vintage marks his 21st at Chapel Hill, a winery recognised as one of Australia's most respected and revered.

Lyndall Rowe is an award-winning wine industry communicator, holding key roles as the Executive Officer of Riverland Wine, a committee member for the SA Chapter of Wine Communicators of Australia Inc, and a Board member of the Wine Grape Council of South Australia. Lyndall actively communicates the essence of the Riverland, Australia's most expansive wine region. Her efforts focus on introducing a fresh Riverland wine experience, sharing the dynamic stories of renegade producers through "The Riverland Runs Free" campaign. Lyndall Rowe plays an influential role in championing the diversity and innovation of the Riverland while contributing significantly to the ongoing success of the Riverland wine industry.

Dr. Darren Oemcke is a partner at Hydra Consulting, chairs Riverland Wine, is a director of boutique wine experience business Invina, and co-founded WineTech Accelerator Foment. Additionally, he lectures in wine retail, marketing, and innovation at Adelaide University. Having started in the wine sector over 20 years ago after a 15-year career in engineering research and development, Darren works across wine production, technology, marketing, and export. He collaborates extensively with innovative tech companies, wine producers, science agencies, and government on diverse projects in Australia and internationally. Steering Riverland Wine through challenging market conditions, Darren champions the region's varietal, stylistic, and aesthetic diversity.

Brendan is a dynamic and progressive winemaker committed to sustainability and pushing the boundaries of traditional practices. Co-founder of Ochre Nation, he has played a pivotal role in driving forward sustainable practices in the Australian beverage industry. With a background in Oenology and Viticulture, Brendan's deep understanding of winemaking and passion for the Australian landscape have shaped his innovative approach. His leadership at Unico Zelo and co-founding of Applewood Distillery have positioned him as a trailblazer, inspiring others to embrace sustainability and craft authentic, flavorful products. The charismatic host of the acclaimed YouTube channel "Wine For The People," Brendan has long been a passionate advocate for demystifying the world of wine. With his warm demeanor, infectious enthusiasm, and knack for storytelling, Brendan has cultivated a loyal following eager to learn alongside him.