Meet
the wine experts

A wine expert with over 30 years’ experience, Julian loves nothing more than sharing his extensive wine knowledge with our guests. He is a partner in Farthinghoe fine wine, a former Sales Director at Goedhuis, and previously at Layton’s, Bibendum and Veuve Clicquot.

Julian is a dedicated vinophile, spending his time picking vines, making wine, and travelling to countless European and Australian vineyards.

As President of In the Grape for 16 years, May Matta-Aliah has explored nearly every corner of the wine industry. By debunking common myths and translating technical winemaking concepts into accessible takeaways, May makes wine relevant to how people actually live and drink. While her presentation style is relaxed and conversational, May’s expertise is backed by the industry’s most rigorous standards, including the prestigious Level 4 Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators. When May isn’t hosting a tasting or speaking at industry conferences, she is likely at home with her cat, Smokey, tending to her indoor plants, or recharging at the beach with a paperback and a cold beer.

Nicole began her career in New York City, working under hospitality legend Danny Meyer as a sommelier at the iconic Union Square Café. She went on to join the team at chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s two-Michelin-starred flagship in Midtown Manhattan. In 2020, she worked the harvest at Stolpman Vineyards in Santa Barbara, an experience that ultimately inspired her move to the West Coast.

Now based in the Santa Ynez Valley, Nicole continues to immerse herself in the world of wine and hospitality. She earned her Advanced Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018.

Peter Marks is an internationally respected wine industry consultant and educator with 40+ years of experience. At the time he received his MW designation in 1995, he was only the 10th American to pass, as well as the first to receive the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award.

Now, Marks sits on the Education and Exam Board of the Institute of Masters of Wine, and is the Panel Chair of the Practical (Tasting) Exam for the Institute of Masters of Wine. He judges many international wine competition and he assists with many charitable fundraisers throughout the year. Marks enjoys riding his bike in the Napa Valley, especially through the beautiful vineyards.

Richard has worked in the wine trade for 20 years, ever since beginning his career in the retail arm of Majestic Wines. Since then, his passion has led him by the nose to roles to roles in both the northern and the southern hemisphere and virtually every aspect of making, selling and appreciating the world’s best wine.

In 2019, he made the move from London to Singapore to become Head of Wine, Asia for 67 Pall Mall where he delivers exceptional wine experiences for distinguished guests from across the globe.

Originally from the Chicago area, Robin is presently based in Lugano, Switzerland where she works as an independent buying consultant, educator, journalist, wine judge and tour guide. Following an intensive course at France’s renowned l’Université du Vin in the Rhône Valley, Robin began her wine career in 1999 as a wine specialist for Christie’s auction house in Beverly Hills, California.

For four years, she appraised cellars, advised clients on collecting, organised wine events and tasted through thousands of rare and collectible bottles, before spending seven years in London as the wine buyer Goedhuis & Co. Now a qualified Master of Wine, she spends her time living in Switzerland and touring the wine regions of Italy and Burgundy.

For over a decade, Romana Echensperger worked as head sommelier in Germany’s top fine dining restaurants, including the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Vendôme near Bergisch Gladbach. In 2015, she achieved the prestigious Master of Wine title. For the German Wine Institute she hosts masterclasses at home and abroad, and since 2022 she has been a member of Lufthansa’s tasting panel, helping to select wines for First and Business Class. Since October 2024, she has also been part of the editorial board of FalstaffGermany, one of the leading wine and gourmet magazines in the German-speaking world.

Sam has been in the wine trade for over 20 years, having travelled the world and worked with a wide range of retail brands in that time. She achieved her Master of Wine qualification in 2011 and is one of only 421 people in the world to hold that title. She also received the Madame Bollinger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Practical Paper portion of her Master of Wine exam.

Sam also has her own wine consultancy, The Mistress of Wine, is a wine consultant for one of the UK’s largest retailers, and is a Co-Chair at the International Wine Challenge. Her debut book — The Wine Flavour Guide — is out now.