People

IEWA Founder

Alexander Taylor

Bristol-based Alex is an award-winning brand and marketing consulant, who has specialised for the last ten years in supporting the growth of English wine. With a background in the legal and audit sector but happily re-deployed, his business centres around brand building, social media and community. WSET accredited and with a decade of experience judging wine competitions, Alex created and has run The IEWA for the past nine years, as well as progressive sister competiiton The ICWA - for canned wines.

IEWA25 Chair

Susy Atkins

IEWA25 sees celebrated wine and food writer, broadcaster, editor, critic, and presenter Susy Atkins returning to IEWA judging - for the 9th time. And like last year, South Devon resident Susy will again take on the role of overall Chair of the IEWA panel. The involvement of such an acclaimed and multi-award-winning wine personality is a huge priviledge and boost not only for this competition, but for English wine as a whole - we’re absolutely delighted to have Susy on board.

Founding Chair

Liam Steevenson MW

Bristol is also where you’ll find Liam Steevenson MW, founding IEWA judge and Chief Exec of Global Wine Solutions, leaders in superyacht wine supply. Liam judges and consults around the world and was the youngest person to achieve the MW qualification. He also runs Vineyard Productions, creating a portfolio of celebrated artisanal wines around the world. Involved from our beginnings in 2016, Liam was central to devising the judging framework for The IEWA. 

Our Judges

Grouped by year and with each person listed alphabetically, below is the full list of IEWA judges, going back to our debut competition in 2017.

  • We’re just finalising the IEWA25 panel now...

    Alex Gottschalk
    Wine & Tech Podcaster

    Ben Franks
    One of the UK’s leading wine buyers* Decanter

    Ben Hawker
    Sales Director, Vineyard Productions

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Chris Wilson
    Winemaker & Former Journalist

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller, Marketer and Commentator

    Ed Dallimore
    Wine Writer and Photographer

    Fiona Beckett
    Columnist & Substacker; Food & Wine Matcher

    Holly Plumeridge
    Export for Sumarroca; Harpers 30 under 30

    James Hawkins
    Leading English Wine Merchant

    James Wormleighton
    Indie Merchant & Content Creator

    John Mobbs
    Leading English Wine Communicator

    Manny Mireku
    Blogger and Consultant

    Oli Littley
    Knowledgeable Consumer - Global Retail

    Robin Frean
    Multi-hatted English wine pro

    Melissa Worrall
    Brand Manager, Educator and Marketer

    Melania Battiston
    Wine Director, Cornus Restaurant

    Mimi Avery
    Wine Merchant, Ambassador and Pirate

    Sarah Massey
    Devon-based Winemaker & Brewer

    Susie Ramroop
    Knowledgeable Consumer - Motivational Speaker

    Susy Atkins
    Wine Writer, Author and Presenter

    Tom Wedgery
    Wine Host, Marketeer, Sommelier

    Zoe Driver
    Winemaker, Hampshire

  • Alex Taylor
    Wine Presenter & Packaging Entrepreneur

    Ben Franks
    One of the UK’s leading wine buyers* Decanter

    Ben Hawker
    Global Wine Sales Manager

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller, Marketer and Commentator

    Debbie Warner
    Wild Wine Woman - Educator and Entrepreneur

    Ed Dallimore
    Wine Writer and Photographer

    Fiona Beckett
    Drinks Columnist for The Guardian; Food & Wine Matcher

    Elizabeth Mellish
    Sommelier, Restaurant & Members Club

    Elly Owen
    Head Sommelier and Educator

    James Wormleighton
    Merchant and Content Creator

    John Mobbs
    Leading English Wine Digital Communicator

    Lee Isaacs
    Wine Lecturer, Speaker, Entertainer

    Manny Mireku
    Blogger and Consultant

    Melissa Worrall
    Brand Manager, Educator and Marketer

    Mimi Avery
    Wine Merchant, Ambassador and Pirate

    Oli Littley
    Knowledgeable Consumer - Global Retail Ops

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer - Solicitor

    Sarah Massey
    Devon-based Head Winemaker

    Sam Povey
    WSET Educator, Harpers '30 under 30'

    Susie Ramroop
    Knowledgeable Consumer - Motivational Speaker

    Susy Atkins
    Wine Writer, Author and Presenter

    Tom Wedgery
    Wine Host, Marketer, Sommelier

    Zoe Driver
    Winemaker, Hampshire

  • Ben Franks
    One of the UK’s leading wine buyers* Decanter

    Ben Hawker
    Global Wine Sales Manager

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller, Marketer and Commentator

    Elizabeth Mellish
    Sommelier, Restaurant & Members Club

    Elly Owen
    Head Sommelier and Educator

    Fiona Beckett
    Drinks Columnist for The Guardian; Food & Wine Pairing Hero

    Frank Mason
    Events Manager and Educator, Bibendum

    Holly Plumeridge
    Head of Off Trade, Alliance; 30 under 30

    James Hawkins
    Leading English Wine Merchant

    Jamie Smith
    Wine Entrepreneur, Host and Innovator

    Jessica Summer
    Cheese and Wine Host, Writer & Judge

    Lee Isaacs
    Wine Lecturer, Speaker, Entertainer

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Independent Consultant & Winemaker

    Luke Harbor
    Hospitality Group Head of Wine (Head Somm and Buyer)

    Melissa Worrall
    Brand Manager, Marketer and Educator

    Mimi Avery
    Merchant and Brand Ambassador

    Oli Littley
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Sarah Massey
    Devon-based Head Winemaker

    Susy Atkins
    Wine Writer, Author and Presenter

    Tom Hewson
    Bubblehead and Sparkling Wine Correspondent

    Tom Wedgery
    Event Host, Marketer, Sommelier

  • Andy Clarke
    Presenter, Producer, Journalist and Writer

    Ben Franks
    One of the UK’s leading wine buyers* Decanter

    Ben Hawker
    Wine Sales Professional

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Brad Horne
    Wine Social LIVE Pioneer

    Cherry Constable
    Retail Manager, Vine-Works

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller & Marketer

    Ed Dallimore
    Wine Writer and Photographer

    Elly Owen
    Head Sommelier

    Frances Bentley
    Wine, Beer and Sprits Buyer

    Françoise Faye
    Food and Drink Columnist

    Holly Plumeridge
    Head of Off Trade, Alliance

    Jaega Wise
    Brewer, Sommelier, and TV Presenter

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    Jamie Smith
    Wine Entrepreneur, Host and Innovator

    Joana Albogas
    Wine Digital Marketing and Social Specialist

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Independent Consultant & Winemaker

    Mimi Avery
    Merchant and Brand Ambassador

    Oli Littley
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Ruth Spivey
    Founder, Consultant, Writer

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Susy Atkins
    Wine Writer, Author and Presenter

    Toby Amphlett
    Wine Professional and Brand Ambassador

    Tom Wedgery
    Event Host, Marketer, Sommelier

    Tommy Grimshaw
    Winemaker, Dorset

  • Ann Krebiehl MW
    Wine Writer and Author

    Ben Franks
    One of the UK’s leading wine buyers* Decanter

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Brad Horne
    Wine Social LIVE Pioneer

    Corinne O’Connor
    Winemaker, Dorset

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller & Marketer

    Elly Owen
    Head Sommelier

    Frances Bentley
    Wine, Beer and Sprits Buyer

    Françoise Faye
    Food and Drink Columnist

    Holly Plumeridge
    Off Trade Sales Specialist

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    Jamie Smith
    Wine Entrepreneur, Host and Innovator

    John Mobbs
    Founder, GreatBritishWine.com

    Karen Christian
    Blogger & Writer: Wine / Tea / Cheese / Sounds

    Lee Isaacs
    Educator, Buyer and Speaker

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Independent Consultant & Winemaker

    Mimi Avery
    Merchant and Brand Ambassador

    Oli Littley
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Susy Atkins
    Broadcaster and Journalist

    Toby Amphlett
    Penfolds International Brand Ambassador

    Tom Wedgery
    Event Host, Marketer, Sommelier

    Tommy Grimshaw
    Winemaker, Dorset

  • Andy Clarke
    TV Producer and Journalist

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Brad Horne Wine
    Social LIVE Pioneer

    Corinne O’Connor
    Winemaker, Dorset

    Dan Kirby
    Wine Buyer, Seller & Marketer

    Hannah Gray
    Social Marketer & Winery Assistant

    Holly Plumeridge
    Off Trade Sales Expert

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    Jess Lamb
    Wine Writer & Marketer

    John Mobbs
    English Wine Digital Communicator

    Lee Isaacs
    Educator, Buyer and Speaker

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Independent Consultant & Winemaker

    Susy Atkins
    Broadcaster and Journalist

    Tom Wedgery
    Sommelier and Marketer

    Tommy Grimshaw
    Winemaker, Dorset

    Zoë Driver
    Assistant Winemaker, Hampshire

  • Andy Clarke
    TV Producer and Journalist

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Cherry Constable
    Wine and Spirit Blogger

    Corinne Seely
    Head Winemaker, Hampshire

    Daniel Ham
    Head Winemaker, Dorset

    Emily Lambert
    Sommelier and Entrepreneur

    Gino Rosolek
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Ian Ward
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    John Mobbs
    English Wine Digital Communicator

    Karen Christian
    Wine & Comms Professional

    Kelli Coxhead
    Indy Retailer and Educator

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Consultant, Independent

    Luke Harbor
    Head Sommelier

    Melissa Duckhouse
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Owain Hughes
    Wine Retail and MW student

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    John Atkinson MW
    Consultant, Independent

    Julia Stafford
    English Wine Merchant

    Lee Isaacs
    Wine Merchant and Educator

    Nathan Meyers
    English Wine Entrepreneur

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Sorcha Holloway
    Wine Communicator

    Susy Atkins
    Broadcaster and Journalist

    Tom Wedgery
    Sommelier and Marketer

  • Alex Schuster
    Champagne Buyer

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Cherry Constable
    Wine and Spirit blogger

    Daniel Ham
    Head Winemaker, Dorset

    Edward Clarke
    Independent Merchant

    Gino Rosolek
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    James Cummings
    Winemaker, Somerset

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    Jarryd James
    Restaurant manager and Buyer

    John Mobbs
    English Wine Digital Communicator

    Kelli Coxhead
    Indy Retailer and Educator

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Consultant, Independent

    Owain Hughes
    Wine Retail and MW student

    Susy Atkins
    Broadcaster and Journalist

    Tommy Grimshaw
    Assistant Winemaker, Devon

    Tom Wedgery
    Sommelier and Marketer

    Theodor Svedberg
    Wine Trade Professional

  • Alex Schuster
    Champagne Buyer

    Brett Hirt
    Gin maker and Bar Owner

    Ben Hulland
    Winemaker, Devon

    Cherry Constable
    Wine and Spirit Blogger

    Clemency Yates MW
    Winemaker, Independent

    David Houghton
    Cardiff Wine Merchant

    James Cummings
    Consultant, Winemaker, Somerset

    James Hawkins
    English Wine Merchant

    James Penson
    Manager, Premium On-trade

    John Mobbs
    English Wine Digital Communicator

    Karen Christian
    Wine & Comms Professional

    Kelli Coxhead
    Indy Retailer and Educator

    Liam Steevenson MW
    Consultant, Independent

    Melissa Duckhouse
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Owain Hughes
    Wine Retail and MW student

    Sally Lord
    Knowledgeable Consumer

    Steven Hayball
    Former Sommelier

    Susy Atkins
    Broadcaster and Journalist

    Tom Gilbey
    Specialist Wine Merchant

IEWA Caps

Here’s a list of all of the amazing repeat judges at The IEWA since our first comp in 2017, and how many times they’ve tasted with us:

Susy Atkins 9

James Hawkins 8

Ben Hulland 8

Liam Steevenson MW 7

Tom Wedgery 7

John Mobbs 7

Sally Lord-Olney 6

Dan Kirby 6

Ben Franks 5

Lee Isaacs 5

Holly Plumeridge 5

Mimi Avery 5

Oli Littley 5

Brad Horne 4

Cherry Constable 4

Tommy Grimshaw 4

Elly Owen 4

Andy Clarke 3

Jamie Smith 3

Karen Christian 3

Kelli Coxhead 3

Fiona Beckett 3

Owain Hughes 3

Ben Hawker 3

Ed Dallimore 3

Melissa Worrall 3

Sarah Massey 3

Zoë Driver 3

Alex Schuster 2

Corinne O’Connor 2

Daniel Ham 2

Elizabeth Mellish 2

Fran Bentley 2

Françoise Faye 2

Gino Rosolek 2

James Cummings 2

Luke Harbor 2

Melissa Duckhouse 2

Toby Amphlett 2

Manny Mireku 2

Susie Ramroop 2

James Wormleighton 2

Live Scoring

Sanja Taylor

Sanja is an experienced wine competition scorer and boss-lady, having overseen and managed results coming in for the last 4 years of The IEWA, and sister comp The ICWA. Hailing from Bosnia Herzegovina and originally a lawyer, ST’s day job sees her heading up the people function for 1625IP, a Bristol-based youth homeless support charity. She’s all about the detail, culture and values - not just doing things correctly, but scrupulously fairly.

Event Ops

Ros Neale

All successful endeavours - but particularly events - have those people without whom the whole thing wouldn’t have a chance of triumphing. For us, this is that person. Having been at the sharp end of Galmorgan Cricket’s hosting of an Ashes Test Match, Cardiff’s Ros has worked on bigger events, but has been a vital part of our team since 2016. Never has the phrase “Why don’t we do it like this?” been more artfully and expertly deployed.