THE WINEWISE PANEL

LESTER JESBERG - EDITOR

Judge at the National Wine Show, Sydney Royal Wine Show, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Royal Hobart Wine Show as well as Limestone Coast, Barossa, Cowra and Bathurst Cool Climate Wine Shows. Lester is Chairman of Judges at the Riverina, Orange, Macedon and NSW Small Winemakers Wine Shows and, from 2008, will be the Chair of NSW Wine Awards. Lester is also a wine importer* and wine educator.

LEX HOWARD

With a keen palate and a taste for good wine, Lex joined the Winewise team as a steward in 1997 and later the tasting panel in 2001. Has been a judge at Winewise Small Vignerons Awards since 2002.

ANDREW MCEWIN

Proprietor, winemaker and viticulturalist with Kyeema Wines, Murrumbateman NSW. Kyeema has produced many gold medal and trophy winning wines, particularly for its shiraz and merlot.* Kyeema’s vineyard is recognised as one of the best shiraz sites in the Canberra region. Andrew is also a contract winemaker and consultant for a number of smaller wineries in the region.

DEB PEARCE

Sommelier at the Journeyman Restaurant in Berrima for nearly five years. Len Evans Tutorial Scholar in 2006, judge or associate judge at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, the National Wine Show, the NSW Wine Awards and a number of Regional Wine Shows. In October 2007 she was chosen as the Wine Communicators of Australia ‘Young Gun’ 2008 and is completing the Master of Wine course.

LEN SORBELLO

Former Director of ACT Consumer Affairs and retired lawyer, Len has been a wine educator and wine writer since the early 1970s, under Len Evans' tutelage. Len has toured Australia's wine regions extensively as well as the wine regions of Europe, especially Italy. Since the early 90s, Len has judged at numerous Regional Wine Shows. Last year, he judged at the Cowra Regional Wine Show and the National Cool Climate Wine Show. He was also a panel chair at the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show and the NSW Wine Awards.

PHIL TRICKETT

Works in the demographic field of statistics. Joined the tasting panel in 1989 and has been a totally committed panel member since then. Phil also judges regularly at Regional Wine Shows.

TONY WYND

For well over 15 years, Tony has taken a passionate and hands-on involvement in wine. A member of the tasting panel for many years, he has travelled extensively to expand his knowledge and experience of wine, winemaking and viticulture. He spent 2005 and 2006 rehabilitating a neglected vineyard in the Yarra Valley and its first wines will be released in 2008 under his new label “Blank Canvas Wines”*.

RAY WILSON

Foundation member of Winewise and member of the tasting panel since 1985. A graduate of Len Evans' Bulletin Place and the Rothbury Estate Society, Ray has an abiding interest in all things vinous. Ray has judged at the Winewise Small Vigneron Awards since 1990.

* Note: A panellist's own wines are usually not reviewed in Winewise