About Wine Diva

About Wine Diva

Wine Diva was developed by a group of people dedicated to wine and the Internet.

A love of wine and the belief that the Internet was the communication medium of the 21st Century led to the development of Wine Diva. Our web portal is dedicated to providing information about all things vinous on Australian wine and setting up a communication network for lovers of the Aussie drop – be they consumers of wine, makers of wine, teachers of wine or students of wine.

Wine Diva set out to cover all aspects of wine in Australia because we believed that all areas of wine endeavour are linked and dependent on the interconnectness of peoples’ expertise and passion for the grape.

Wine Diva is constantly evolving with the Australian wine industry and communications technology – always keeping as our beacon the belief in the importance and beauy of deep knowledge.

 

Our people

• Caroline Colton (director)
• Lisa Johnston (consulting wine writer)
• Kate McIntyre (consulting wine writer)
• Julie Donnellan (consulting wine & food writer)
• Toni Paterson (consulting wine writer)

Caroline Colton

Caroline is an information professional, horticulturalist and lover of wine.

The creation of Wine Diva is her expression of the fusion between her love of the word, plants and wine. “Wine Diva is about links between knowledge and the people who have it and those who appreciate it. “, says Caroline.

 

 

 

Lisa Johnston

Lisa has an infectious enthusiasm for all things vinous.

She is a wine educator, writer and wine business consultant who has a fascination for the ever changing nature of wine and the wine experience – in the vineyard, in the bottle and in the glass. Lisa is able to draw on her experience working with several large wine producers and retailers in the UK in sales and marketing roles and combine this with a passion for travelling through wine regions throughout the world and within Australia.

With an eternal thirst for knowledge, amongst her qualifications Lisa has a WSET Diploma, Diploma in direct marketing, a commerce degree and a Diploma in Horticulture (in progress).

Lisa is an independent reviewer. Please contact her directly at: [email protected]

 

Kate McIntyre MW

NEWS: Congratulations to Kate McIntyre on being awarded her Masters of Wine (September 2010) from the Institute of Masters of Wine based in London. Kate undertook tasting and theory exams and wrote a 10,000 word dissertation on Chardonnay titled: "Australian Chardonnay in crisis – reality or industry perception".

The qualification is very prestigious because the exams are extremely hard to pass. Currently there are only 289 Masters of Wine in the world. Speaking about the graduands, Dr. Josef Schuller MW, Chairman of the Institute, said: "The Institute is delighted to welcome these nine new Masters of Wine to its membership. They have demonstrated a unique set of skills in the art, science and business of wine."

Kate’s life in wine started very early. At the age of 9, she picked grapes for the first time at Dr John Middleton’s Yarra Valley vineyard, Mount Mary and in the same year her father bought a piece of land on the Mornington Penninsula. For the next ten years she discovered first hand what was involved in planting a vineyard and starting a winery.

A graduate of Monash University, she spent six months of her Honours year studying in Lyon, researching a thesis on wine and food as an integral part of the French cultural identity. In 1996 she began her career in the wine industry proper, at Philip Murphy Wine and Spirits and worked for three years as Fine Wine Assistant Manager at the Toorak store, and a year as Australian Fine Wine Manager. She worked as Business Development Manager for Trembath Taylor Tucker, which evolved into T3 Fine Wines, from 2000 until June 2003.

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 returned to Champagne as one of thirty Australians, (and past winners of the Vin de Champagne award), to be inducted in to the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, bestowing upon her the title of Dame Chevalier.

Kate was awarded her Masters of Wine in September 2010. She is currently working as a freelance wine writer and educator. She has written extensively for newspapers and magazines as well as contributing to   Discover Australia: Wineries; and Wine: A Global Encyclopaedia..

Kate is also Marketing Manager for Moorooduc Estate, her family’s 12 acre vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula and is involved actively in the production of the wines. She writes and maintains the wine list for the restaurant as well as running various wine education seminars and wine courses in house and for The Prince Wine Store.

Kate is an independent reviewer. Please contact her directly at: [email protected]

 

Julie Donnellan

Julie first worked for Wine Diva in late 2003 promoting the web site and its services at the Wine Industry Expo in the Barossa Valley. In 2004 Julie was appointed Marketing Diva and effectively spread the word about Wine Diva throughout South Australia and Victoria. She is indeed a Diva and unfortunately this was recognised by Veritas Winery who headhunted her in 2006.

Julie is a very talented writer and continues to write articles for Wine Diva about wine, food and Australia’s wine regions.

Julie has a broad background in both the wine and hospitality industries. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in wine marketing, public relations, and hospitality which includes such areas as cellar door, food and wine promotional events, food services management in restaurants and catering. She has worked as a consultant in her own business promoting food and wine products as well as festivals and other events. She has experience in market research, hospitality recruitment and business development. Julie also currently lectures part-time in wine studies, bar operations, restaurant services and cookery.

Julie has degrees in Wine Marketing from the University of Adelaide; Arts from Latrobe University and Certificates in Business Management, Hospitality Management and Workplace Training.

Julie’s extensive background in the wine and hospitality industries is reflected in her articles.

 

Toni Paterson

Fascinated by aromas and flavours from an early age, wine and food have been lifelong passions of Toni Paterson. Initially trained as a scientist, Toni quickly made the change to winemaking after studying for a Masters in Oenology. With six vintages under her belt, producing red, white and sparkling wine styles, Toni travelled to Europe where she worked in the promotion and marketing of Australian wine. Based in the UK, she undertook and passed the Masters of Wine examinations, and was accredited in November 2002. Toni was also awarded the prestigious Madame Lily Bollinger Medal for tasting.

Toni is currently taking a break from reviewing for Wine Diva.

 

Links to related organisations:

• Index@
• Landscape Botanica