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 2024
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).
John Harris
Winemaker at Mitchell Harris Wines
Having spent over 15 years working in wine retail, boutique and multi-national wine-making businesses here and abroad, John moved back to his hometown of Ballarat in Western Victoria to team up with his wine-loving in-laws, the Mitchells, to create Mitchell Harris Wines.
In 2013, Mitchell Harris Wines opened its urban cellar door, wine bar, and event space in the heart of Ballarat, where it quickly became an award-winning beacon for wine and food-loving locals and visitors to the region.
With the experience of 8 years working at Yarra Valley icon Domaine Chandon and its sister companies within the Moet Hennessy group, John specialises in crafting cool-climate sparkling and table wine from Central and Western Victorian wine-growing regions.
Having consulted to the Vinesmith winemaking team for a few years, John joined the crew for the 2024 harvest and, in July that year, signed on as Senior Winemaker, helping to manage the Blue Pyrenees Estate and Glenlofty Estate range of wines.
John has been an active wine show judge for nearly 20 years, having judged at many regional and capital city wine shows.
Adrian Santolin
Chief Winemaker - Rob Dolan Wines
Adrian Santolin has been making wine with his wife, Rebecca, under their eponymous label since 2012, while he is also the chief winemaker at Rob Dolan Wines. He has worked in Italy, both in Franciacorta in Lombardy and in the Veneto, which is where his grandparents emigrated from in the 1930s. It was on their property in Griffith that he first started working in vineyards. Santolin has also worked extensively in the Yarra Valley, as well as in Sunbury and the Hunter Valley.
Years in Industry: 18
Regions worked in: Yarra Valley, Sunbury, Hunter Valley, Riverina, Franciacorta (Italy) + Veneto (Italy)
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.