Judging Panel

Huon Hooke is a leading independent wine writer, based in Sydney, who makes his living entirely out of writing, judging and educating about wine. A journalist first and wine professional second, he has tertiary qualifications in both fields and has been writing on wine for 25 years. He writes a weekly column for both the Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Living’ section and Good Weekend magazine, as well as contributing to Gourmet Traveller Wine, The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Tom Stevenson’s annual Wine Report and other publications on an occasional basis. He has published 15 books on wine including the biography of Penfolds Grange creator Max Schubert. He co-authored the annual Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide for 14 years until retiring from it in 2007. In 2008 he was named Wine Communicator of the Year. He’s been a show judge for 21 years and judges about ten competitions a year in Australia and overseas.

Ben Edwards is a sommelier, wine consultant and wine judge. He has been Head Sommelier in some of Melbourne’s best restaurants worked as wine buyer and Head Sommelier for the Mathis group of restaurants which includes Taxi, Lower House Wine Bar, Upper House Dining Room and others. He has his own wine consultancy, The Wine Guide.
In 1999 Ben won the prestigious Champagne Devaux Young Sommelier Award, and in 2003 was Dux of The Len Evans Tutorial. He has been President of The Australian Sommeliers Association in Victoria since 2002 and is also a freelance wine writer.
Ben has regular Wine Show judging roles, with involvement in the Cool Climate Wine Show since its inception and judging at Royal Sydney, Royal Adelaide, The National Wines Show in Canberra, the Victorian Wines Show along with other regional shows.