Our Tutors

Clive Barlow MW

After having spent 10 years in the wine trade Clive Barlow passed the Master of WIne Exam in 1999. He now runs an independent wine consultancy and training business, Press WIne Services, in Kent. His clients have included Waitrose, Sotheby's, Whitbread, London Wine Academy and Adnams as well as a number of private and business clients for whom he sources wines and advises on the cellaring. He is a senior judge for the internationally prestigious and independant Decanter World Wine Awards and Wine International. He has worked with TV Chef Tony Tobbin for a cable TV show called Meat and Drink on food and wine matching.

David Wainwright

A protégé of Michael Broadbent, he spent 10 years at Christie’s, most recently as Vice President of their New York Wine Department. Specializing in fine wine investment, old and rare wines David now runs his own fine and rare wine consulting business traveling the world tasting, advising and educating on fine wine. Regularly hosting tastings and dinners on everything from Kosher wine to Vega-Sicilia and Petrus, David is always keen share his enthusiasm and vast array of knowledge. As well as studying for his Master of Wine he also judges, writes and is a regular member of Decanter Magazine’s tasting panel. He will be embarking on his Master of Wine studies later this year.

Dawid Koegelenberg

Dawid has over 14 years experience in the restaurant trade and as a foundation studied Hospitality Management. He completed a HND in Viticulture in 2003 and is currently doing his WSET Diploma.

He is currently the wine buyer and head Sommelier at the One Mitchelin star restaurant in soho called Lindsay House and does regular talks on wine for BBC Radio Five.

Ed Adams MW

Ed has been in the wine trade since 1983 and became a Master of Wine in 1991 while working as a buyer at the Co-op. He was until recently the QC and Purchasing Director for Western Wines, the company that owns the very successful South African wine brand Kumala. His major passion is for Spain and Spanish wines but he is also very knowledgeable about wines from South Africa and South America.

Katherine Richardson MW

Katherine began working in the wine trade 9 years ago with Oddbins. Since then, she has worked for a Bordeaux specialist managing accounts and En Primeur campaigns. She now works for a specialist importer of domaine bottled Burgundy and Australian wine.

Katherine passed the WSET Diploma in 2001 and was awarded the Rouyet Guillet Cup for top marks. She became a Master of Wine in March 2006.

Leta Bester

With 10 years experience, Leta heads the Academy and still lectures on some workshops and corporate events. Having studied wine in several countries Leta has a great understanding of the subject and has been lecturing since 1993. She also studied towards the Master of Wine qualification.

She is particularly passionate about wine and food as well as making the world of wine accessible to every one.

Marcia Waters MW

Marcia joined us recently and we look forward to having her knowledge and expertise on board.

Martine Bounet

Martine Bounet is a buyer for the wholesale division of Berry Bros & Rudd Ltd. A French native she has been in the wine trade for over a decade and started her career in Bordeaux for the then negoce activity of well known Château Lynch Bages. She received the distinctive 'Commandeur des Vins de Bordeaux' title in 2003. Her passion for wines brought her to all the major wine regions not only in France but across the globe.

With a wish to quench her thirst for wine knowledge she is studying for the Master of Wines program which is considered the highest wine education in the trade. She is a recommended Wine Tutor and Assessor for the WSET (www.wset.org) and has also obtained the City & Guild Certificate 7302 teaching qualification.

Matt Day

Matt was Young Wine Writer of the Year in 2002 and was recently one of the wine presenters on Taste – a new fifty part Sky One food and drink series. He cut his taste buds working with Oz Clarke on WineToday.com (New York Times on the Web) and has since contributed to various publications including Wine Magazine and Harpers. In 2005 he embarked on the Master of Wine program.

Nick Dumergue

Nick is a talented tutor and enthusiastic communicator, with a particular passion for Italy having previously taught at the International Wine Academy of Roma. He currently lectures to the trade at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London and is also studying towards his Master of Wine exams.

Originally from New Zealand, he began his career in wine 16 years ago as a Sommelier and has since worked in retail and wholesale/importing in a sales and buying capacity, including two years at Harrods. He experienced both vineyard work and winemaking in New Zealand, Australia, California, Chile, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Nick is also a freelance journalist, judge and former Tastings Co-ordinator for Decanter magazine where he is still a regular tasting panel member.

Richard Banfield MW

Richard also runs his own wine education and consultancy business. However, he occasionally lectures at the Academy.

Sara Muirhead

Sara has worked in the UK wine trade for the last twelve years. With experience in wine tours, PR and marketing, she now has her own wine PR and marketing business. Sara passed the Master of Wine tasting paper in 2004 and is now focussing her attentions on the theory paper.