Fiona McDonald is Regional Chair for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.
Fiona McDonald
Fiona McDonald is a trained news journalist who began her wine writing career when she helped a friend organise a wine show, which resulted in her writing a weekly wine column.
She spent eight years as editor of Wine magazine in Cape Town, playing a key role in documenting the changing face of South African wine – her tenure coincided with the industry’s post-apartheid era.
McDonald edits the magazine Cheers in South Africa, as well as contributing to a number of other publications.
She judges at global wine competitions and is also a member of the Platter’s South African wine guide tasting panel and writing team.
Meet the Judges: Fiona McDonald
South African wine journalist Fiona McDonald has spent the past 20 years involved with the country's wine industry, after initially
DWWA 2014: South Africa judging panel
Find out about our Decanter World Wine Awards 2014 South Africa judging panel with biographies of the Regional Chair Lynne