Career

My first job in wine was with Majestic, the UK wine warehouse chain, back in 2001. Six years later, I was managing the Notting Hill Gate branch and was ready for my next move.

That took me to Australia, where I worked as a cellar hand at Kangarilla Road in McLaren Vale for the notoriously hot 2008 vintage. While I was sweating away, I wrote a diary of my experiences, which was published on Jancis Robinson's website.

Today, I am still writing for JancisRobinson.com, with almost 1,000 articles and more than 27,500 tasting notes published, covering all corners of the wine world. Along the way, I’ve been published by many other publications, and you can also find me speaking at conferences, hosting tastings, and tweeting all about it as I go.

My MW graduation ceremony, with Sarah Jane Evans MW.

In 2009 I embarked on the Master of Wine course, which I passed in 2015. That was undoubtedly a career highlight, along with headlining the O2 Academy Islington for a Wine Relief fundraiser rock concert and becoming momentarily famous for singing the grape variety song back in 2011.

In 2019, I moved to Singapore to continue my wine career in Asia. I am now the Head of Wine, Asia for 67 Pall Mall Singapore.

If you want to read the full, unexpurgated story, my CV is on LinkedIn.

Awards

Brag alert! Over the years, I've been awarded the following accolades:

  • Robb Report Thought Leader 2022

  • Finalist, Louis Roederer Online Communicator Of The Year 2020

  • Finalist, Born Digital Best Editorial / Opinion Wine Writing 2019

  • Finalist, Born Digital Best Editorial / Opinion Wine Writing 2018

  • Winner, Louis Roederer Online Communicator Of The Year 2017

  • 1st Runner-up, Born Digital Best Editorial / Opinion Wine Writing 2016

  • Finalist, Wine Blog Awards Best New Blog 2016

  • Finalist, Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Online Drink Writer 2016

  • Finalist, Louis Roederer International Feature Writer Of The Year 2015

  • Finalist, Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Drink Writer 2015

  • Finalist, Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist Of The Year 2014

  • Finalist, Louis Roederer Online Wine Columnist Of The Year 2012

  • 1st Runner-up, Born Digital Best Wine-Themed Video 2012

  • Finalist, Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer Of The Year 2010

  • Runner-up, Young Wine Writer of the Year 2008

  • Runner-up, Young Wine Writer of the Year 2007

Beyond wine

Music and nature are the other great preoccupations of my life. I've played the piano since I was seven and still practice regularly, much to the delight of my neighbours. I listen to everything from prog to pop and will talk about music incessantly to anyone who makes the mistake of asking.

Once upon a time, I performed some comedy, taking shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and winning a BBC New Talent award in 2006. Thankfully there is absolutely no evidence of this online.

Otherwise, I love cooking, reading, technology and my wonderful wife, with whom I live in Singapore.