2026 Victorian Wine Show

Emma is currently chief winemaker at Wirra Wirra winery in McLaren Vale. Growing up, Emma Wood had no intention of becoming a winemaker. In fact, her initial plan was to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue engineering. However, by Year 11, she hit a roadblock: physics. "I hated physics," she says, laughing. Then, during a routine career day, It was her best friend who nudged her towards winemaking, and said, 'There you go, that uses a bit of chemistry, that sounds alright.'

Genevieve (Gen) is an acclaimed South African-born winemaker with international experience across South Africa, France, California, South Australia, and Western Australia. After studying viticulture and winemaking in South Africa, she joined Howard Park Wines in Margaret River in 2007, building a reputation for cool-climate, precision winemaking, and later held senior winemaking roles at Hardys Tintara in South Australia.

In 2013, she co-founded Corymbia Wines with her husband, Rob Mann—a sixth-generation winemaker and grandson of Australian winemaking pioneer Jack Mann. Based in Western Australia's Swan Valley and Margaret River, Corymbia is dedicated to organic farming, minimal-intervention winemaking, and expressive Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo.

Michael formally trained in oenology at Adelaide University before traveling the world to explore top winemaking regions across Italy and France. He cemented his knowledge and unique flair working alongside some of the finest winemakers in Australia and beyond, including Peter Leske and Taras Ochota, and at renowned wineries including Shaw and Smith, Revenir, Cape Mentelle and Best’s Wines Great Western.

In 2012, Michael returned to the family’s Adelaide Hills farm and took over the reins here at Murdoch Hill. As Winemaker, Michael has refocused the family business on producing outstanding Adelaide Hills wines – approachable, adventurous and always of the highest quality.

Alister grew up among the vines on his family’s Bellarine Peninsula vineyard, planting his first at age 10. After earning a science degree from Melbourne University, he studied Oenology at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 2001.

He began his career at Shadowfax as Assistant Winemaker before returning home to run Kilgour Estate. In 2008, he rejoined Shadowfax, managing vineyards and developing the Little Hampton site in the Macedon Ranges. Alister was appointed Chief Winemaker in 2017.

Born and bred in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Eden cut his teeth working for established brands such as Brokenwood and Thomas wines as well as completing vintages abroad in California and New Zealand. After a brief stint in wine retail, Eden joined Blue Pyrenees Estate in the Pyrenees region of Western Victoria as Senior Winemaker in 2023. Eden oversees winemaking for the Blue Pyrenees Estate and Glenlofty Estate brands with a specific focus on red wine making. Completing the AWAC in 2018, Eden is an active wine show judge and is driven by the continued pursuit of crafting wines that allow each vineyard site to express itself, honestly, in the glass.

​Hannah is a Winemaker at the De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate Winery. She graduated from The University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology in 2019. Hannah has gained experience working in the Barossa Valley and Rutherglen, along with an overseas harvest in the Rhone Valley. She has been an Associate Judge at the Rutherglen, Inland, and Victorian Wine Shows, and looks forward to developing her skills in this area.

David Li is the Winemaker at Joval Family Wines, overseeing day-to-day winemaking operations at the winery in Healesville, in the heart of Victoria’s Yarra Valley.

After graduating at the top of his class in China, David moved to Australia to complete a Master of Viticulture and Oenology. He has since built extensive experience in the Yarra Valley, developing a strong understanding of cool-climate winemaking.

David is also an active wine judge. After completing the Australian Wine Assessors Course (AWAC) through the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), he regularly judges at wine shows across Australia. He enjoys exploring wine regions, evaluating outstanding wines and sharing knowledge with fellow judges and industry professionals.