Circle of Wine Writers

30/10/2025

Do contact Sue Eames to join this Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk with Steve Smith MW on Tuesday 4th November at 5pm GMT.

Thrilled to announce that the next Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk about .. Democratising fine wine and Regenics, with Steve Smith MW, will take place on Tuesday 4th November at 5pm GMT.

Please contact Sue Eames to register for this webinar.

Steve Smith MW, one of the world’s most decorated wine people, expands the title of his presentation to how these two ideas could be the catalyst for reimagining the future for wine. He adds ‘The wine world is seriously challenged right now, unusually with all sectors being impacted one way or the other. It seems to me that wine might have lost its way where it is trying to be everything to everybody instead of focussing on where we can win.’

Steve will outline some of the reasons behind the challenges, but more importantly will suggest areas where there should be optimism. Out with snobbism, he will urge, in with celebration of new world fine wines, drink a great wine over days rather than hours, celebrate what makes wine special and its true deliciousness, tell its special stories.

And what is regenics? New approaches beyond the box-ticking of organic growing or natural wine making “to embrace everything that is good about nature, people, science and ambition for a better future.”

Steve Smith MW has spent his career in the New Zealand wine industry as a researcher, viticulturist, leader and creator of entrepreneurial wine businesses such as Craggy Range and Smith & Sheth. He has twice been named in lists of the most influential people in the wine world. In 1996 he was the first viticulturist in the world to become an MW. He has been inducted as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers and into the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Hall of Fame, is a former chancellor of Lincoln University and been involved in a number of industry governance roles and wider initiatives.

At the end of the day, his happy place is among the great vineyards, and with the wines he has created over the last 30 years, and creating innovative ways to tell their story.

30/10/2025

Huge congratulations to talented Circle of Wine Writers member Liz Palmer who has been honoured with the ‘Best Wine Tourism Communication Award’ at the Iter Vitis Awards, part of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme.

Liz is a Canadian-British wine journalist, award-winning author, and global influencer. The award, presented in Thessaloniki, Greece, recognises her global advocacy for wine culture, heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism.

24/10/2025

Delighted to welcome new member Emma Dalton to the Circle of Wine Writers.

Emma is a multilingual fine wine, sake and spirits consultant with over 20 years of experience.

She works internationally, specialising in providing bespoke consultancy services including masterclasses, wine dinners, written reports and photojournalism. Emma also judges wine, sake and spirits.

24/10/2025

Thrilled to announce that the next Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk about .. Democratising fine wine and Regenics, with Steve Smith MW, will take place on Tuesday 4th November at 5pm GMT.

Please contact Sue Eames to register for this webinar.

Steve Smith MW, one of the world’s most decorated wine people, expands the title of his presentation to how these two ideas could be the catalyst for reimagining the future for wine. He adds ‘The wine world is seriously challenged right now, unusually with all sectors being impacted one way or the other. It seems to me that wine might have lost its way where it is trying to be everything to everybody instead of focussing on where we can win.’

Steve will outline some of the reasons behind the challenges, but more importantly will suggest areas where there should be optimism. Out with snobbism, he will urge, in with celebration of new world fine wines, drink a great wine over days rather than hours, celebrate what makes wine special and its true deliciousness, tell its special stories.

And what is regenics? New approaches beyond the box-ticking of organic growing or natural wine making “to embrace everything that is good about nature, people, science and ambition for a better future.”

Steve Smith MW has spent his career in the New Zealand wine industry as a researcher, viticulturist, leader and creator of entrepreneurial wine businesses such as Craggy Range and Smith & Sheth. He has twice been named in lists of the most influential people in the wine world. In 1996 he was the first viticulturist in the world to become an MW. He has been inducted as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers and into the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Hall of Fame, is a former chancellor of Lincoln University and been involved in a number of industry governance roles and wider initiatives.

At the end of the day, his happy place is among the great vineyards, and with the wines he has created over the last 30 years, and creating innovative ways to tell their story.

23/10/2025

Delighted to share this great photo of Chester Osbourne of d'Arenberg wine, McLaren Vale, Australia, sitting on one of his Dali sculptures - by very talented Circle of Wine Writers member and photographer Matt Wilson.

22/10/2025

Our warmest congratulations to very talented Circle of Wine Writers member José Vouillamoz who has received the prestigious ‘Premio Internazionale Masi Civita del Vino’ award.

This award for his internationally acclaimed research activity, which integrates advanced biotechnologies with the cultural and historical heritage of native grape varieties, will be presented to Jose at the 44th official ceremony on the 24th October.

18/10/2025

Huge congratulations to super talented Circle of Wine Writers member Leona De Pasquale who is the winner of the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Award : Wine Professional of the Year 2025.

This is the first year for this category which is sponsored by Decanter.

15/10/2025

Do contact Sue Eames to join this Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk about English Wine with Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College on Tuesday 21st October at 5pm BST.

13/10/2025

Delighted to welcome new member Allison Sheardy to the Circle of Wine Writers.

Allison is in charge of hospitality and winemaking operations for a winery in Minnesota, working with cold-hardy hybrid grapes.

She also writes freelance articles, teaches WSET courses, and maintains a personal blog (https://www.abottleofintelligentwine.com/) chronicling her journey in the Institute of Masters of Wine programme.

09/10/2025

A great pleasure to announce that the next Circle of Wine Writers Let’s Talk about webinar … The emergence of English wine: successes and challenges, with Sam Linter, will take place on Tuesday 21st October at 5pm BST.

Do contact Sue Eames if you would like to join us. Guests welcome.

We are delighted to welcome Sam Linter, a stellar figure in the UK’s wine industry. She will discuss the current position of an emerging wine industry, exploring its related success and issues facing it. Beyond that, Sam, who is Director of Wine at England’s world-respected Plumpton College, will look at solutions the industry is exploring, specifically research with sensors and data collection in vineyards.

Sam Linter has more than 30 years of experience in the English wine industry. Formerly managing director and head winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate, established by her parents in the early 1970s, she transformed the family business from a little-known vineyard into one of the UK’s top producers, achieving multiple national and international awards along the way.

A pioneer in English wine, Sam has played a key role in shaping the industry through her leadership roles, including chair and director of Wines of Great Britain, and as a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. Passionate about Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and sparkling wines, she has always championed quality, sustainability and innovation.

In 2023, she joined Plumpton College as Director of Wine, where she is dedicated to advancing education and training to support the continued growth of the industry.

08/10/2025

What a great pleasure to share this fabulous article by talented Circle of Wine Writers member Michele Shah following the Circle press trip to Cyprus in April.

Michele’s article ‘Into the Vinous Heart of Cyprus’ appears in the October-December issue of Sommelier India wine magazine.

With huge thanks to Elina Christofidou, Visit Cyprus and Michalis Georgiou for the invitation.