Wine experts

Ian is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most senior and highly esteemed wine judges with over 45 years experience in the industry and 30 years being a wine judge it’s easy to see why.

Ian has been Chairman of Judges for the Canberra National, Adelaide, Perth, ACT, Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Mt. Barker, Hunter Valley, Riverland, Victorian Wines, Ballarat and Lilydale wine shows. He has also judged at wine shows in California, New Zealand and South Africa. He is still actively involved in wine show judging in Australia and overseas.

Ian has been chief winemaker of 3 award winning wineries and is a Director of TWS.

“If it’s about wine, Ian is the man, he has undoubtedly got the finest palate in Australia” – Bruce Tyrrell

Bringing a passion for fine wine and over 16 years of International and Australian Wine Show Judging with him, Greg ensures that we pass only the finest wines around. Greg is an industry expert on Tasmania and has helped The Wine Society develop a great portfolio of Society labelled Tassie favourites.

He has been a Wine Society Member for over 35 years and a Tasting Panellist since 1996.

Greg is a great lover of Pinots (especially Burgundy Pinots) and regularly travels to vineyards around the globe.

Lance has more wine experience than we know what to do with: from managing Hunter and Barossa Valley wineries to being General Manager for some of the largest wine retailers in Australia.

He now operates his own wine consultancy business and is currently a Director and Treasurer of the Liquor Stores Association of NSW and is a member and past Treasurer of the Wine Communicators of Australia. Lance was selected as Liquor Store Manager of the year in 2003.

Besides enthusing about wine (especially Hunter Valley aged Semillon and Shiraz) Lance's other interests include classical ballet, opera and symphonic music.

Growing up in the Hunter Valley, the son of a winemaker, Ian has spent his career making wine for some of Australia’s most prestigious wineries – McWilliam’s, Hungerford Hill, Allandale Winery and Southcorp’s Tulloch Hunter Valley.

Ian holds both a Wine Science Degree and MBA from Charles Sturt University and now has 25 vintages of experience under his belt from places as diverse as California and France. Ian has also gained judging experience at regional wine shows.

Having grown up in the Hunter Valley Ian is passionate about Semillon and takes every opportunity to drink it!

Toni Paterson is Australia’s youngest and one of only two female Masters of Wine and winner of the prestigious "Madame Lily Bollinger Medal" for excellence in wine tasting.

Toni first studied biotechnology at the University of Technology in Sydney before completing her Masters in Oenology at Adelaide University. From 1996 to 1999 she worked as a winemaker with Southcorp in South Australia. Toni then travelled to Europe where she worked in the marketing of Australian wine. Published Author, ex-winemaker and one of Australia’s best wine gurus it’s easy to see why we are so proud to have Toni on our Tasting Panel.

Toni loves fresh seafood and chilled white wines and loathes faulty and overpriced wines

Paul’s passion for wine began back in his days at university. He began writing newsletters for wine retailers, then articles for magazines. These articles led to awards, prizes and countless trips overseas wherein Paul explored wine further.

Paul is an educator extraordinaire and hosts many of our course, events and educational course across the nation. With over 25 years experience in the wine industry he truly is one of the best.

Paul’s passionate about quality Pinot Noirs. (Central Otago is leading the New World, he says)