Our Trainers

 

Philip Reedman M.W.

Master of Wine, consultant in international wine marketing.

Philip Reedman began his wine trade career working as a wine waiter at a busy Nottingham restaurant. Wanting to learn more about wine he joined Vintage Wines in Nottingham as a general trainee during which he passed the WSET Higher Certificate. Keen to continue learning about wine Phil undertook working a series of vintages; 1986 in Alsace with Hugel, 1987 at Saltram in the Barossa Valley and finally the 1988 vintage at Taylor’s Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro. In 1990 Phil passed the WSET Diploma with honours and was the winner of both the Burgundy and the Vinho Verde scholarships.

Inspired by the WSET courses Phil continued to study wine joining the Master of Wine program in 1991. While studying Phil worked for Australian Wine Agencies in London, a pioneer importer of premium Australian wines from small and medium sized wineries across Australia.

In 1998 Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer recruited Phil as Senior Product Development Manager to be based in Australia sourcing wines from Australia and New Zealand. During the nine years Phil was with Tesco he also sourced wines from California and South America, producing many medal and trophy winning wines for Tesco’s own-label program.

In 2007 Phil established his own business working with wineries, brand owners and importers with the mission “Helping you sell more wine”. As well as teaching WSET Diploma at The Sydney Wine Academy Phil maintains his education links with the Masters of Wine in his role as mentor to aspiring MWs. Phil is a regular wine show judge at shows in Australia and overseas and a contributor to various wine industry publications in Australia and New Zealand.

Alison Morris-Eisermann

Wine maker, wine judge and wine educator

For the past 10 years Alison has been making wine for a range of clients as well as managing a large commercial vineyard and judging wine throughout Australia. Alison has also had experience judging at the International Wine Challenge in London and has recently returned from the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Currently studying the prestigious Master of Wine Program Alison is an approved WSET internal assessor for the Sydney Wine Academy. Alison also has tertiary qualifications in winemaking, viticulture, biochemistry, microbiology, workplace assessment and is an experienced trainer and educator.

Clive Hartley

Wine educator, sommelier and wine writer

A seasoned author, wine writer, sommelier, wine judge and professional wine educator, Clive Hartley has been instrumental in the development of wine education at the Northern Sydney Institute.

A member of the Australian Wine Communicators and honorary member of the Australian Sommeliers Association, Clive has specialised in Australian and Italian wines educating both sommeliers and consumers, as well as advising retailers on importing wines.

Clive successfully developed the Introductory and Advanced Italian Wine Courses and in 2007 established the Sydney Wine Academy and introduced Wine and Spirit Education Courses (WSET) at Ryde Campus.

Clive also has a regular column 'Wine Tutor' in Australia's Winestate Magazine and he is the author of the Australian Wine Guide. He boasts extensive experience judging wine shows, including the Verona International Wine Competition, the NSW Wine Awards, Australian and New Zealand Organic Wine Show and Griffith Wine Show. He has travelled to numerous wine regions across the globe.

Clive holds the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits and both a Diploma and Degree in Education. He was also nominated for the Drinks Trade Magazine most influential liquor identities of the past 21 years.


Lisa Johnston

Wine educator, writer and wine business consultant

Lisa’s qualifications include the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits, a Diploma of Direct Marketing, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing). Lisa is a WSET Certified Educator and has UK experience with several large wine producers and retailers in a number of sales and marketing roles including brand manager. Since her return to Australia Lisa has become an independent reviewer and also works for a number of wine media professionals.

Annette Lacey

Award winning sommelier and experienced WSET trainer

The former head sommelier at Sydney’s Banc restaurant and sommelier at the three hat awarded Marque restaurant, Annette Lacey is an accomplished sommelier with a specialist background in fine dining.

Experiencing great success in her early career, Annette was a finalist in the Rosemount Sommelier of the Year competition and Devaux Young Sommelier of the Year (2000 & 2001), and in 2001 qualified to attend the Len Evans Tutorial. She has recently gained experience in one of Australia’s leading independent fine wine retailers.

Annette has completed the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits, Associate Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.

Annette has been with The Sydney Wine Academy since 2007 and is an approved WSET assessor and trainer for WSET foundation, intermediate and advanced courses.

She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine.

 

Karen Macalister-Hohnen, AIWS

Professional educator and wine industry icon

With more than 30 years of experience in wholesaling, hospitality and retailing Karen is a well-respected member of the Australian wine industry as a professional wine educator and commentator.

1979 saw Karen as one of the very first female wine consultants in Australia, which spurred her on to complete many Australian and international qualifications and participate as an Associate Judge at regional and national wine shows. She is a graduate of the Northern Sydney Institute, Ryde Campus with a Diploma in Hospitality Management as well as a WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits through the Sydney Wine Academy.

Karen is a WSET Approved Programme Educator and holds a TAE10 Certificate IV in Training & Education. She is the NSW Chapter Chair of Wine Communicators of Australia and a NSW finalist of the Vin de Champagne Award in 2012.

Sarah Andrew AIWS

Independent wine wholesaler, consultant and wine list designer

Sarah studied at Monash University, completing a double degree with Honours in 1996 (Bachelor of Arts Hons & Bachelor of Science). She completed the Court of Master Sommelier, Certified Sommelier exams in September 2010 and was a candidate on the L’Erudito Lorenzo Galli Scholarship in January 2011. In June 2012 she completed the AWRI Wine Judging Assessment Course.

Sarah is an Associate of the Institute of Wine & Spirits, having completed the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits in January 2013, through the Sydney Wine Academy.

Located in Melbourne, Sarah launched her business, Selador Wines, in 2005 after spending several years working in the wine industry in London. She consults, markets, promotes and sells wine for boutique wineries. In addition Sarah’s passion has extended to managing a number of wine lists for cafes, bistros and restaurants, offering staff training and wine appreciation sessions.