Kate Hibberson to attend prestigious ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit in Austria!
Sommeliers Australia is proud to announce that Kate Hibberson (Armada Collective) has been selected to participate in the ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit, taking place from 7–10 September 2026 at the historic Grafenegg Castle Park, Austria.
This is the second year Sommeliers Australia’s has officially partnered with the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW), enabling an egaged Australian sommelier to attend one of Austria’s most exciting and intellectually demanding wine tastings. The annual Summit is widely regarded as the premier opportunity to explore Austria’s best site-specific wines, with a focus on Erste Lagen (Premier Cru) and emerging Grosse Lagen (Grand Cru) classifications.
Louella Mathews, President of Sommeliers Australia stated:
“Kate’s application stood out for the breadth of her experience across the Australian wine industry. A quiet achiever and an outstanding ambassador for Australian wine, she brings impressive credentials through her participation in the Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC), together with extensive judging experience. Based in Canberra, Kate is well connected to a growing cool-climate wine region where producers are increasingly exploring Grüner Veltliner alongside established Riesling vineyards. We believe her experience across Australia’s cool-climate regions will bring valuable perspective to the ÖTW and Sommit™ opportunity.”
This initiative forms part of Sommeliers Australia’s ongoing commitment to fostering professional development and international engagement. By providing access to benchmark global experiences, the organisation aims to strengthen the connection between Australia’s sommelier community and the broader world of wine.
About Kate
Kate Hibberson is a seasoned wine buyer and marketing professional whose career has been shaped by Canberra’s vibrant food and wine scene. A Canberra local, she opened her first restaurant with her chef husband in 2010, beginning a long and rewarding connection to hospitality.
Since then, Kate has deepened her expertise in wine, completing her WSET Diploma, participating in the Australian Wine Assessment Course (AWAC), and contributing to wine show judging panels. Today, she curates the wine lists for Beltana Farm and The Boat House while also serving as Marketing Manager for Mount Majura Vineyard. In this role, she brings together her industry knowledge, storytelling ability, and passion for local wine.
“Every time I visit a wine region, attend a masterclass, or spend time with producers, my appreciation for and love of wine deepens—this time, Austrian wine.To be immersed in such a focused and enriching experience alongside fellow wine professionals is a true privilege.
My sincere thanks to ÖTW, the producers and organisers, and Sommeliers Australia for making this incredible opportunity possible.”
