Spotlight

Each week since November 2021, we’ve travelled the country to hear from our 30+ Committee members. Today the Committee Spotlight series comes to an end in Melbourne, as we shine the spotlight on the last of the team who works behind the scenes to keep the association running… ​​​​​​​​   I AM: Imbi Knappstein, Sommeliers … Continued

While our Committee Spotlight has so far focused on Sommeliers Australia’s diverse and talented national Committee members, in our two final posts for this series we meet the team who work behind the scenes to keep the association running… I AM: Jamie Sprague, by ‘day’ the Cellar Door Manager for Tractorless Vineyard in the Southern … Continued

I AM: Matt Dunne, Group Wine Ambassador & Resident Sommelier at Joval Wine Group, Plumm Glassware Ambassador, WSET Educator, Wine Judge (NSW committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: Give back and support the wine industry by empowering future talent through helping create and facilitate fun, educational events, as a vehicle to enhance knowledge and … Continued

I AM: Greg Richardson, Key Accounts Manager On Premise Groups for Joval Wines (Nat. Exec & NSW Committees) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: I felt incredibly fortunate to be invited to become a Sommelier’s Australia committee member many years ago. I saw this as my opportunity to give something back to the profession and … Continued

I AM: Susei Ko, Service Operation Manager at LKG Hospitality (VIC Committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: Become more involved in our industry and to meet and encourage a new generation of sommeliers. MY BACKGROUND IS: I was born in South Korea, and came to Australia to study hospitality. My first fine dining job … Continued

I AM: Anthony-Sabastian Tran, Director of Food & Beverage at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart (TAS Committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: Contribute my experience in a smaller capital city where there is a lot of potential to professionalise the industry. MY BACKGROUND IS: I began working with wine as a glassie … Continued

I AM: Ceri Kidby-Salom, Senior Waiter (Wine) at Coppa Spuntino and Women in Hospitality (QLD) Committee and Mentor (QLD Committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: I have a background in Events Management and a huge passion for education, training and sharing the story of wine so I thought I could lend a hand! MY … Continued

I AM: James Boden, Head Sommelier at National Wine Centre of Australia (SA Committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: Interact with likeminded wine folk and work on creating a more inclusive community within South Australia. MY BACKGROUND IS: I have been a Sommelier for the last 9 years working across both Western Australia and … Continued

I AM: Marcell Kustos, Beverage Director at Restaurant Botanic + winemaker at LUDO Wines (Nat. Exec & SA Committees) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: To drive positive change in the wine and hospitality industries, learn from like-minded professionals and create a platform that offers education and mentoring for the next generation. MY BACKGROUND IS: … Continued

I AM: Kim Bickley, Owner and Director of The Sommeliers Studio (NSW Committee) I BECAME A COMMITTEE MEMBER TO: Help other sommeliers around Australia to connect with others and improve their opportunities within the industry. MY BACKGROUND IS: I am Australian born and bred. Having grown up on an oyster farm on the Gold Coast … Continued