Rob is an author, educator, respected wine judge and charismatic public speaker.

After starting his wine industry career in the vineyards of the Clare Valley in the 70s, Rob was the 3rd Australian to pass the rigorous IMW exams and become a Master of Wine.

Rob’s passion for the drinks industry goes without saying and his strength in communication is proved by considerable presentation experience with radio and TV which includes over 15 years with ABC radio in various guises and lecturing in most English speaking international markets as both educator and after dinner speaker.

Other milestones in his career were becoming the founding executive of the Wines of the River- ina Promotion Committee, tasting wines from the wreck of the William Salthouse sunk 1838, extensive marketing experience with Rosemount Estate, a stint at Fosters Wines and is the former owner and Managing Director of WineStream, Australia’s leading wine specialist public relations consultancy plus judging numerous national and international wine shows.

He is a frequent visitor to overseas educational events and premium wine regions to maintain his knowledge of changing trends and the latest in thinking in production and consumption. These include the 2006 Masters of Wine symposium in Napa Valley and visiting owners and marketers in Bordeaux and Champagne in 2007.

He has had considerable contact within the wine industry as organiser of the annual Masters of Wine Revision Course and presenting at Master Classes. He has been a committee member of the Australian Opera Gourmet Dinner Committee since 1996. He was Convenor of the NSW Wine Industry Tourism and Promotions Committee with a responsibility for the NSW stand at Wine Australia 2004.