MEG BRODTMANN, MW

Meg’s life before wine involved Immunology research and a B. Sc. (Hons) degree. There she would regularly devour wine magazines and read Epicure voraciously during breaks. This sparked her initial interest in wine – an interest that was compounded when she drank the first ever vintage of Cloudy Bay (NZ) Sauvignon Blanc, amazed that a wine could have so much perfume and flavour.

After realizing spinning cells in a centrifuge wasn’t for her, she went back to University to study Winemaking at Roseworthy, then on to vintages here and in France before accepting an offer with U.K. based winemaking consultancy, Cellarworld International. There Meg oversaw winemaking projects in France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Chile & Argentina for the next five years.

The following seven years saw Meg in Chile as a Senior Winemaker, launch a wine brokering consultancy (Southern Cross Wines – Chile), introduce WSET Courses to South America (Chile & Brazil) AND in 2002, become Australia’s first female Master of Wine.

Since then Meg and her family have returned to Australia where she has continued with winemaking consultancy and wine education, not only teaching WSET levels 3 and 4 with the Prince Wine Store, but also training WSET Educators in Australia for WSET U.K. Her wine judging accolades include The International Wine Challenge (UK), current Chair of the International Cool Climate Show, judge for Sydney International Wine Show (Top 100), AND she is also involved with the Master of Wine Australasian Events Committee and the annual Educational Residential Seminar.

Meg is in awe of Riesling in all its guises, calling it the most versatile, delicious, cheeky, racy grape ever put on this planet. Though she’d never say no to anything sparkling – Champagne (1st choice of course), Prosecco, Blanquette de Limoux, and a not-so-secret love of Frizzante or sparkling Moscatos (much to the horror of many winemaking friends!)

We are so very pleased to have Meg Brodtmann on board as such an integral part of the WSET Programme at the Prince. She teaches at our South Melbourne store, as well as Rob Dolan Wines in the Yarra Valley. 

KATE MCINTYRE, MW

Kate’s family started Moorooduc estate when she was 10 years old, and after studying language and theatre – and doing some travel – she came back to the wine industry; first through retail, then with an importer wholesaler.

In 1998 Kate was the inaugural winner of the Negociants Working with Wine Fellowship and in 2001 was the professional winner of the CIVC Vin de Champagne Award. In July 2003 Kate was inducted into the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne.

She returned to the family business in 2004. She writes, teaches, and talks about wine. Kate became a Master of Wine (MW) in 2010. She chaired the Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration in 2013 and 2015. Kate lives on the Mornington Peninsula and is the marketing and business development manager of Moorooduc Estate. She helps with the winemaking and travels as often as she can to wine regions she loves around Australia and further afield: Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, Piedmont, Tuscany, Alto Adige…

Kate teaches at our South Melbourne store and at Moorooduc Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.

JOSHUA ELIAS

Joshua Elias graduated from a bachelor of Law at Monash University in 2008. During his time as a student he worked at restaurants as a part-time waiter and he quickly ‘up-skilled’ and self-educated to become a sommelier.

Upon completion of his law studies he made the choice to continue his hospitality work in deference to taking articles and being approved to practice law. “Working at Bistro Vue and Vue de Monde I frequently served solicitors and barristers most of whom had a keen interest in wine. I figured I’d bypass the legal practice and end at the same destination — wine.” After Vue de Monde, Josh worked for just under two years at Attica restaurant during the formation of its current reputation; when it was awarded 53rd best restaurant in the world. Subsequently Josh worked on the floor at Grossi Florentino before his current role as a wine consultant and editorin- chief at Alquimie Publication.

As one of nine Australians to hold an advanced diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers and Dux of Victoria’s first WSET diploma intake, Joshua is highly qualified in his wine pursuits. His final target being the illustrious company of the 5 people in world that have master degrees as both a master sommelier and master of wine. He is at the final stages of both degrees.

Travelling regularly for his wine education, Joshua is an alumni of the Sommeliers Australia National Scholarship amongst many other industry awards. Joshua’s current project, Alquimie, is an embodiment of his hopes and aspirations for selfeducation. “Alquimie is the path forwards. There is no limit to what can be learned from collaboration with journalists and enthusiasts from around the world. This is continuation of a journey that centres around drinking culture. Food, language and history all influence what we drink and of course the drinks themselves are nothing — if not for the company of the people we enjoy them with.

Josh teaches at our South Melbourne store. 

LISA CARDELLI, WSET Dip

Lisa Cardelli is a sommelier and award-winning wine writer. A WSET Diploma holder since 2016, in mid-2018, she began teaching WSET level 2 and, lately, level 3 at Prince Wine Store. 

Born and bred in Tuscany, she has worked in the finest Australian restaurants for ten years.

She works at Halliday Wine Companion as an account coordinator and freelance wine writer. Lisa also reviews wines for WinePilot, curates the wine column for the Law Institute of Victoria journal, and judges at local wine shows. She is also a member of the Qantas/Neil Perry wine selection. Lisa is the 2022 recipient of the Len Evans Foundation AWAC Scholarship.

Lisa teaches at our South Melbourne store. 

SABINE DUVAL, WSET Dip

With over 20 years in the Wine industry, Sabine has accrued extensive experience in her chosen field. 

As Brand Ambassador for The Sydney Wine Academy and Brand Manager Hungerford Hill, Dalwood and Sweetwater wines; she brings a unique trade perspective to the judging scene.

Sabine has over a decade’s worth of experience as a Senior Wine Buyer; blind tasting thousands of wines and selecting the very best.

Sabine is a certified sommelier, awarded by The Court of Master Sommeliers in 2010. She completed her WSET Diploma and teaches WSET L1, L2, L3 and Diploma at Prince Wine Store, as well as other venues. 
She is an active wine judge and has judged at both regional and national shows.

Sabine is part of our Sydney and Newcastle education team. 

SEAN MITCHELL

For Sean, a passion for wine has found its outlet in wine writing and wine education. He completed the exacting Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) diploma and became an Associate Member of the Institute of Wine and Spirits (AIWS) in 2014.

Along the way, Sean was awarded The Bibendum PLB Blason de Bourgogne Scholarship as a high achieving graduate of the WSET Diploma, The Wine Communicators of Australia prize and shortly intends to apply for the admission to the Master of Wine programme. Sean is a Certified WSET Educator, contributes to wine education at Prince Wine Store, is a member of Wine Communicators of Australia and a graduate of the WSET Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits (2008). He also writes for print and online wine media, including recently for Alquimie and Vinodiversity magazines and has authored the independent wine blog grapeobserver.com since 2009. Sean otherwise holds a Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, and has practiced law for more than 15 years having worked at leading firms in Australia and England.

PAUL HUET, WSET Dip

Born and raised in Paris, Paul turned his back on a career in medicine to pursue his love of food and drink. After seven years in London under the tutelage of industry heavyweights like Michel Roux at Le Gavroche and earning his WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines & Spirits, Paul swapped The Swinging City for sunny Sydney.

Joining Master Sommelier Franck Moreau at hospitality giant Merivale in 2013, Paul has been part of Felix, Mr. Wong, est.  before heading the wine program of the Eastern suburbs portfolio of venues in 2017.

In 2020 he decided to take his restaurant skills to a broader audience and created The Wine Tip, his own consulting and education business to fully live his passion of transmitting his love of wine.

Paul teaches wine at our Sydney store and Spirits at our Melbourne store. 

EMMA MORDUE

Emma’s education began with an interest in food, wine and all things hospitality when she completed a BA Hons in Hospitality Management in the UK. This interest soon turned into a passion for wine when Emma completed her WSET Level 3 and Diploma. With thorough wine and hospitality credentials Emma moved to Australia where for 10 years she worked as a successful sommelier in the competitive Sydney restaurant scene.

Her work in restaurants led to an interest in wine at a more grassroots level and she did a vintage with Willow Creek, Mornington Peninsula. Emma managed the Port Phillip & Kooyong Cellar Door over the past couple of years and currently enjoys teaching WSET Level 2 at the Prince Wine Store….and now in the Mornington Peninsula

ANNETTE LACEY, MW

Annette has a strong background is Hospitality, having been a Sommelier at some of Sydneys finest 2 and 3 hat restaurants and is currently the Sommelier at Pei Modern in Sydney.

With a passion for wine education Annette has taught WSET 1 – 4 for the past 8 years and has excellent pass rates with her students.

She completed WSET Level 3 and Diploma and was a finalist in the 2014 Professional Vin de Champagne Awards. She is currently in the Masters of Wine Programme.

Annette heads up the Sydney eductor team. 

ALEX WILCOX

Alex’s lifelong passion for wine and food was inspired by his mother, Sue, and it was only a matter of time before his passion became his career.

After deferring his studies, Alex decided to cycle, eat and drink his way around Europe . Not since WWII had Europe’s food stocks been placed under such strain and after a short meeting at the Hague the nations of the EU decided to deport Alex back to Australia. Exhausted but inspired, Alex returned to undertake 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 and Tuscany , Alex is committed to educating customers and friends alike on all the joys wine has to offer. He is responsible for the day-to-day running of the South Melbourne store.

He lives in the country with his wife, Kirsty and their children, Henry, Jemima and Charlie.

MICHAEL MCNAMARA

Michael’s family immigrated to Australia in 1962 from a small village in England called Ireland. 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. Michael has a passion for all styles of wine, particularly the wines of Italy, California, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

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. When not drinking wine, Michael likes to relax with a beverage and indulge his other great love, Trugo. He is married to Julia and they have two children, Vinnie and Maeve.