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 – yes, oysters were grown on the GC many years ago! I found myself like many from the Goldie, working at the Casino (Conrad Jupiters at the time) alongside an amazing team of hospo and fine wine devotees. there I developed a passion for wine and wanting to hone my skills I moved to Sydney. I spent most of my adult life in Sydney working under some legendary somms like Stephane Carrier and John Clancy, from there I ran wine programs for places such as Hilton Sydney, Glass Brasserie and Black by Ezard.

After I left the floor I worked for Fine Wine Partners as the national manager for their Museum and Rare program.

I now live in Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley where my partner Andrew Thomas makes the best wine in the Valley and where we are raising our 6 year old son while opening a new venture called the Sommeliers Studio.

THE MOTTO I LIVE BY IS:
In the wine or restaurant game, WE ARE NOT SAVING LIVES, be humble be kind and be the best you can be even when you’re cleaning the toilet.
THE PERFECT MEAL WOULD BE:
With a bunch of my favourite somms from all around Australia, many whom I have not seen for years and miss dearly
WHAT I ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE WINE INDUSTRY IS
The people and their stories. Customers, winemakers, suppliers, chefs and sommeliers.