DWWA Judge 2024

Rostislav Petrov

Commercially minded wine professional with over 15 years of industry experience. Based in the UK.

DWWA judge profile: Rebecca Palmer

Rebecca Palmer is Associate Director and Buyer for Corney & Barrow, which has offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

DWWA Judge profile: Piotr Pietras MS

Piotr Pietras MS is a managing director of Polish wine importer Terroirysci and the co-owner of Kontakt Wino & Bistro in Warsaw.

DWWA judge profile: Nick Oakley

Nick Oakley is the Director of Oakley Wine Agencies, one of the UK’s leading Portuguese specialists.

DWWA judge profile: Mario Meštrović

Mario Meštrović is a Croatian sommelier and a member of the executive board of the Croatian Sommelier Club in Zagreb.

DWWA judge profile: Larry Stone MS

Larry Stone MS is the CEO and Founder of Lingua Franca, an estate winery in Willamette Valley.

Luis Capitao

Managing Partner of the company which he co-founded, Touchstone Wines, a sales and marketing firm working with foreign wineries.

DWWA judge profile: Marcus Lai

Marcus Lai is the Managing Partner at Asia Wine Cellar.

Julie Buckley

Wine sales, procurement & supply chain expert, currently serving as the managing director at Winetraders UK ltd. Based in the UK.

DWWA judge profile: Igor Sotric

Igor Sotric is Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at China Tang at the Dorchester.

DWWA judge profile: Janet Dorozynski

Janet Dorozynski is the lead for Canadian wine, beer and spirits at the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada, a principal critic and writer at WineAlign as well as the wine columnist for Luxe Magazine Ottawa.

DWWA judge profile: Iain Riggs AM

Part owner, Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Brokenwood Wines, Iain Riggs is a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the Australian wine industry. 

DWWA judge profile: Gerd Stepp

Previously a winemaker for Marks & Spencer, Gerd Stepp now makes wine at his family vineyards, Stepp, in Pfalz.

DWWA judge profile: Emilio Del Fante

Emilio Del Fante has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and now works with wine producers in the Lugano region.

DWWA judge profile: Arabella Woodrow MW

Arabella Woodrow MW is now retired but continues to do wine consultancy, mentoring work and judging in wine competitions.