DWWA 2024 Regional Chairs

DWWA Regional Chair for New Zealand: Cameron Douglas MS

New Zealand’s first Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas MS is in charge of the wine and beverage programme at AUT University in Auckland.

DWWA Regional Chair for Northern Italy: Michael Garner

Michael Garner is a regular contributor to Decanter, and co-owner of Italian Wine Specialists Tria Wines Limited.

DWWA Regional Chair for Beaujolais, Southwest and Rest of France: Dominique Vrigneau

Dominique Vrigneau is Buying Director at Watermill Wines and a Chevalier du Tastevin.

DWWA Regional Chair for the UK: Simon Field MW

Simon Field MW worked for Berry Brothers & Rudd for over 20 years. In 2015, he was admitted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône: Matt Walls

Matt Walls is an award-winning freelance wine writer, author, blogger and consultant, contributing regular articles to Decanter.

DWWA Regional Chair for Spain: Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW

Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, an active member of numerous wine committees, is a wine writer, consultant and educator .

DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa: Fiona McDonald

Fiona McDonald, trained news journalist turned wine writer, is Regional Chair for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.

DWWA Regional Chair for Spain: Ferran Centelles

Ferran Centelles is a wine writer specialising in Spanish wine for JancisRobinson.com.

DWWA Regional Chair for Australia: Justin Knock MW

Justin Knock MW is the Director of Wine for Decant London, a fine wine merchant and importer based in central London.

DWWA Regional Chair for Asia: Ch'ng Poh Tiong

A lawyer by training, Poh Tiong Ch'ng published the world’s first Chinese Bordeaux Guide in 2000 and is the author of 100 Top Chinese Restaurants of the World.

DWWA Co-Chair: Andrew Jefford

Andrew has been writing and broadcasting about wine since the 1980s, winning many awards for his work.

DWWA Regional Chair for Argentina: Paz Levinson

Argentine Paz Levinson is Executive Head Sommelier for Groupe Pic and a wine educator.

DWWA Regional Chair for Central Italy: Andy Howard MW

Andy Howard MW runs his own consultancy business, Vinetrades Ltd, which focuses on education, judging, investment and sourcing.

DWWA Regional Chair for Alsace: Thierry Meyer

Thierry Meyer is the Regional Chair for Alsace at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.

DWWA Regional Chair for Piedmont: Stephen Brook

Wine writer and Decanter contributor Stephen Brook is the Regional Chair for Piedmont at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2023.

DWWA Regional Chair for Germany and Austria: Markus del Monego MW

Markus Del Monego MW, Best Sommelier of the World 1998, is wine advisor to Lufthansa airlines and runs consultancy company tasteTainment GmbH.