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 ALEX WILCOX
A partner in the Prince Wine Store Alex completed an Honours degree in Agricultural Economics at Sydney University, specialising in the international wine trade, the third degree year of which was spent at the University of California, Davis.
Alex's wine industry life embraced all facets of the trade including wholesale, restaurants and retail before becoming a partner at Prince Wine Store. Having worked several vintages in Victoria, Western Australia, Tuscany and France , Alex is committed to educating customers and friends alike on all the joys wine has to offer. Alex was responsible for the introduction of the WSET program to the Prince Wine Store repertoire of wine courses in 2004 and looks forward to its continued growth.
Alex is the main contact and administrator for the WSET program.
 MEG BRODTMANN MW
I initially worked in immunology research after completing my B.Sc. (Hons.) degree. After realizing it wasn’t for me I returned to the University of Adelaide (Roseworthy) to undertake a winemaking degree. I then worked a couple of vintages in Australia and, in 1996, went to France to do harvest. After this harvest, I accepted a full time job with Cellarworld International, a UK-based winemaking consultancy, and spent the next five years overseeing winemaking projects in Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus) and South America (Chile and Argentina).
In 2001, I moved to Chile where I spent 7 years. I was the Senior Winemaker for Vina Morande before launching our winemaking and wine brokering consultancy, Southern Cross Wines (Chile). While in Chile, in conjunction with The Wine School, I introduced the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses to South America (Chile and Brazil).
In 2002, I became Australia’s first female Master of Wine.
In December 2007, we returned to Melbourne where we have started Southern Cross Wines (Australia), a winemaking consultancy with projects in China and Chile. We also broker wine throughout the world. I am also involved with the WSET in Melbourne and continue with my involvement with The Wine School in Latin America.
Throughout my career, I have been a wine judge with the International Wine Challenge (UK) and for various wine magazines. I am currently involved with the Master of Wine Australasian Events Committee and their annual Education Residential Seminar.
 CHRIS CRAWFORD
Chris Crawford has over 19 year’s hospitality experience with his last front of house role as Head Sommelier at Circa, the Prince.
In 2005 he was awarded “Service Excellence Award” by The Age Good Food Guide and participated in the Len Evans Tutorial Scholarship. In 2006, he was awarded the Negociants Working with Wine Fellowship.
Chris is also a Sommeliers Australian National committee member, and sub-committee member for education, where he is heavily involved in establishing & tutoring the Sommeliers Australia Education Program. He is also an Associate Judge and Judge at various regional and State Wine Shows as well as a certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers (UK & USA).
Chris is currently employed as the Wine Buyer for The Prince Hospitality Group, where his role is to develop and control all things vinous within these venues with a focus on Sommelier training.
 KATE McINTYRE
Kate started working in the Wine Industry as a forced child labourer at her parents vineyard Moorooduc Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Undeterred, she joined the Philip Murphy team and used her university training to enter and win almost all wine competitions including the Negociants Working with Wine Fellowship, the CIVC Vin de Champagne Awards and now after many years of study Kate is in the final process of becoming an Master of Wine having gained a full pass in the 2008 exams.
Kate’s passion and knowledge of wine is as intoxicating as the wine itself. As a tutor for both level two and three WSET program over the past two years, with fantastic results.
 MICHAEL McNAMARA
After wandering various paths, Michael decided to try the wine industry, joining retailer Philip Murphy in 1996. Michael was the Imported Wine Manager for the Philip Murphy Group for four years before establishing his own business; a small wine export company specialising in premium Australian brands. During this time, Michael created a number of new labels for overseas markets and helped to shape the wine styles of these export brands.
Michael became a partner in the Prince Wine Store at the beginning of September 2004 after commencing at the store in March 2003.
As wine is both his passion and profession, Michael spends much of his work and leisure time travelling the world's wine areas. This includes regular trips within Australia, Italy, France and the occasional trip to California.
Michael was instumental in the growth of premium Italian wine sales in the Melbourne market whilst at Philip Murphy Wine and Spirits and it is this passion and enthusiasm that he brings to the Italian wine course that has seen it become one of most oversubscribed courses.
 PHILIP RICH
Philip Rich has been a partner in Prince Wine Store since 1996. Prior to that Philip was the first imported wine manager for Philip Murphy Wine and Spirits before going to the Stokehouse and Prince of Wales where for nine years Philip was responsible for all the wine buying for the group, sommelier training and wine lists including Circa’s multi award winning list.
Philip has been writing a monthly wine column for the Australian Financial Review Magazine since 1999, is a Len Evans Tutorial graduate and has judged at numerous wine shows in Australia and New Zealand including the Royal Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide Wine Shows, Victorian Wine Show, Yarra Valley Wine Show, The Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Hawkes Bay Wine Show and Margaret River Wine Show. He lives in Melbourne with his wife Marina and sons, Spencer and Felix.
 MATT SKINNER
Matt Skinner is a wine writer, consultant, and educator well-known to international audiences for his refreshing take on wine, and knack for making it simple.
A strong believer that wine is for everyone, and that enjoying it is your right rather than your privilege, Matt, in recent times, has twice been short-listed for the IWSC International Communicator of the Year Award, is author of the awarded and international bestseller Thirsty Work (published in 17 countries and 10 languages) and continues to put together his annual guide, The Juice – 100 wines you should be drinking.
Day to day Matt consults to a small, yet perfectly formed group of clients around the world, makes regular contributions to Waitrose Food Illustrated (UK), GQ Australia and jamieoliver.com, and likes nothing more than uncrowded surf, and finding out he’s been upgraded at check in. While much of his time is spent on the road, Matt calls Melbourne, Australia home.
RUSSELL GEHLING
Russell has been involved for 15 years in the Wine Industry and is presently distributing a range of Australian and International wines in Victoria , Tasmania and a view to the rest of Eastern Seaboard. As well as Importing a range of wines from Italy, France and New Zealand, Russell conducts training and educational classes. In 2008 Russell began taking Level 2 WSET Courses at Prince Wine Store.
"It is a pleasure to be able to utilize my experience in the teaching professional linked in with my passion for wine in teaching to people who want to be more comfortable about talking about wine and more importantly be confident in trying and experimenting with their tastes."
Russell has also been fortunate in travelling extensively through the wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and New Zealand in his previous capacity of Sales Manager of Negociants Australia .
 DANIEL SMITH
Daniel has worked for some 15 years in hospitality in various roles, both as chef and as a waiter across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria and although his roles have regularly changed, wine has always been a constant. A graduate in communications, he is currently studying his Masters in Environment and Sustainability.
Since enthusiastically pursuing his passion for wine, Daniel has managed a small portfolio of boutique Australian wines as a wholesale distributor across Melbourne Metropolitan and with his business partner has contributed to the establishment of these wines on the domestic market.
He joined the Prince Wine Store in 2007 in his first foray into the perpetually exciting world of liquor retail and he has since been mentored and further trained by the partners and tutors of the Prince group. He is currently the manager the St Kilda Prince Wine Store and is passionately devoted to the vinous cause.
 MYLES THOMSON
Myles has been working in the hospitality and wine industry for the past 13 years. His work has taken him around Australia and the world to Canada, Spain and Portugal, where his passion for wine has developed and grown. After breathing a sigh of relief and leaving restaurant management behind him he worked several years in wine retail overseas.
Myles then came home to further his studies in wine and is currently studying his bachelor of wine marketing through the University of Adelaide. He has been working happily for the Prince as Assistant manger for the past year while consulting privately on the side and is amidst the process of developing his own wine export business.
His enthusiasm for wine extends far beyond his work and is a lifelong passion for Myles. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge, a laugh and a fine glass of wine with you soon!
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