Judges & Stewards
Our judges have national experience and are of the
highest standard...
The panel of judges and associates will assess every wine in each of the categories and provide confidential feedback to individual wineries on each wine entered into the show.
Lilian Carter – Chair of Judges 2023
www.vinemark.com.au/about
Lilian.Carter@Vinemark.com.au
Inspired by the production and enjoyment of good wine, Lilian Carter works to support the viability of producers and enhance the experience of consumers.
Since completing her Oenology studies at Adelaide University, Lilian has worked with top tier producers. She has been involved in all aspects of wine production, with some of the most well regarded global wine business’ and some of the best niche producers, in locations that have ranged from the established Barossa Valley to the wine frontier of Xinjiang, China.
Since 2012 Lilian has focused this accumulated experience on two objectives:
ensuring sustainability and success for small and medium sized producers that are the foundation of a diverse Australian wine industry
building connections and supporting the growth of the wine industry and market in China, Asia and domestically
In 2015, Lilian was invited to participate in Wine Australia’s Future Leaders Program. She is the past Chair of the Victorian Wine Show with additional judging and committee experience at Rutherglen, Barossa, and Macedon Wine Shows. She has also completed the Australian Wine Research Institute’s (AWRI) Advanced Wine Assessment course (AWAC).
Narelle King
Chief Winemaker, Tar & Roses
www.tarandroses.com.au
info@tarandroses.com.au
Narelle King began her winemaking career in the late 1990′s after completing her winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University. She landed her first full-time winery job in 2001 at Mitchelton Wines in Central Victoria where she met esteemed senior winemaker Don Lewis.
In early 2004 Narelle teamed up with Don Lewis to create Tar & Roses Vineyard in Central Victoria. Tar & Roses reflects the multi-regions of Spain, Italy and Australia, as well as traditional winemaking alongside the new. All Tar & Roses wines are lovingly made using fruit grown in Heathcote, Strathbogie Ranges, King Valley and Priorat, Spain.
Mark Hickin
Winemaker at Wine by Sam
www.winebysam.com.au
Mark Hickin is a Winemaker at Wine by Sam in Seymour and has been working for this family-owned winery since 2017.
Whilst studying a Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking at the University of Adelaide, Mark undertook vintages in the Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, and Burgundy in France. After graduating in 2016, Mark travelled to British Columbia, Canada where he did a vintage at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in the Okanagan Valley. He was involved in the making of Ice Wine, Method Traditional sparkling and Kosher Wine.
The winemaking and viticulture knowledge that Mark has gained both overseas and domestically has allowed him to develop an understanding of wine styles from both cooler and warmer viticultural regions. In 2018, Mark was awarded the Victorian Wine Show Scholarship which enabled him to travel to Alsace in France and gained knowledge on cool climate wine styles, soil types and viticultural methods of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. As part of the scholarship program, Mark presented a paper at the Victorian Wine Show awards night which was subsequently published in the Australian Grape Grower and Winemaker.
Mark’s diverse winemaking experience has been invaluable in providing guidance to wine-contract clients, as well as steering wine styles at Wine by Sam where he shows particular interest in fruit from cooler regions including, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Shiraz. When spare time allows, he is usually found down at the tennis courts having a hit of tennis.
CALL FOR STEWARDS
Stewards help with the setting up the judging and the exhibitor/public tasting and packing up when judging is complete.
If you would like to help call Eric Bellchambers on 0418 542 644
with your availability.
What happens on the day?
Setting up is from 8am and judging is 9am-6pm.
You need not stay all day - either morning or afternoon would be very helpful.
In between pouring wines, clearing away used glasses, loading the glasswasher, etc, you can taste wines yourself and eavesdrop on the judges' deliberations.
There will be a dinner on Monday evening with the judges.
If you would like to help on any of those times, please email Eric Bellchambers or call on 0418 542 644 with your availability.