The Old Vine Conference

Co-Founder
The Old Vine Conference

Sarah is the director of marketing agency Swirl Wine Group, and has worked in the wine industry for 25 years. Her interest in ancient varieties and the origins of wine is long-standing and she co-founded The Old Vine Conference in 2021. Sarah works with generic and national wine bodies, advising them on how to communicate their shared identity and increase their collective brand value.

Winemaker
Viña Concha y Toro

Isabel Mitarakis is a member of the Guilisasti family, closely tied to the history and development of the Chilean wine industry. She grew up surrounded by vineyards and understood from a young age that making great wine requires an in-depth knowledge of the terroir. As a natural result of her childhood experiences, she decided to study agricultural engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, specializing in oenology.

General Secretary of Jumilla PDO Regulatory Council

Born in Madrid, Carolina is an agricultural engineer and holds a Master of Science in agrifood marketing. Carolina has been the manager and general secretary of the Jumilla PDO Regulatory Council since 2017. With a firm belief in the potential of its wines and the distinctive features of the land Carolina’s aim is to modernise this historic wine region.

Head of Sustainability, Hill-Smith Family Estates

Louisa joined Yalumba in 1993 and became chief winemaker in 2006. She has worked 28 vintages and won numerous awards, including 2008 Winemaker of the Year and 2014 Best Winemaker in Australia. Louisa judges international wine shows, chairs the Australian Wine Research Institute, and was inducted as Grand Master of the Barossa winemaking fraternity in 2019. She was instrumental in drawing up the Old Vine Charter in Barossa.

Director, The Old Vine Project

Cathy van Zyl became the first MW in Africa in 2005. Chair of the IMW education committee for four years before becoming a member of its Council for six years, she became chair of the IMW in September 2022 – Sept 2024. Cathy lectures and judges locally and internationally and occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world, but spends most of her time as associate editor of Platter’s South African Wine Guide. In 2019, she was named the Institute of Cape Wine Masters' Personality of the Year. Cathy was appointed as a Director of the Old Vine Project in 2024.

Research Advisor
The Old Vine Conference

Based in London, Adrianna is a historian and fourth-generation vintner at Catena Zapata winery. In 2009, together with winemaker Alejandro Vigil, she founded El Enemigo Wines, in Mendoza, Argentina, and has more recently ventured to Spain with Bodega El Reventón – a fully off-grid winery – in the Sierra de Gredos. She holds an MPhil. and DPhil. in History from Balliol College, Oxford, specialising in the Early Modern Iberian Atlantic.

Vineyard Sustainability Manager - Catena Zapata Viticulture Team 

Silvina graduated as an agricultural engineer from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Cuyo and is currently completing a master's degree in Viticulture and Enology at the same institution. She interned at INRA in France. She has collaborated and published with local researchers in grapevine genetics. Before joining the Viticulture team at Catena, she managed high-quality organic vineyards.

Researcher - National Institute for Agricultural Technology

Agronomist Engineer from the National University of Cuyo and Ph.D. in Sciences from the National University of La Plata. Researcher specializing in plant virology and coordinator of a national project on fruit crop health at INTA. Supervised three completed doctoral theses and two ongoing ones. Published over 30 scientific papers and directed six projects funded through competitive grants. Postgraduate lecturer in genetics and plant health courses. Responsible for agreements on technological linkage, scientific cooperation, and technology transfer with companies and public organizations. Served as research coordinator and director of the Mendoza Agricultural Experimental Station at INTA.

Independent Strategist

Dr Jonathan Steyn completed his PhD (Business Administration) at University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) and holds an international masters in wine marketing and business. He is the convenor of the wine business, wine marketing and hospitality leadership courses at UCT GSB, where he also conducts wine industry research as a postdoctoral research fellow. A former restauranteur, wine and restaurant judge, and wine journalist, Jonathan is passionate about cultural industries such as wine, tourism and hospitality. When he isn’t teaching or researching, Jonathan helps organisations through his strategy agency. 

van Zellers & Co, Douro

Francisca van Zeller is an enthusiastic professional in regenerative viticulture and storytelling through marketing at Van Zellers & Co., the oldest Port wine family. Passionate about sustainability, she helped develop the sustainability project at Aveleda, overseeing over 300 hectares of vineyard, and has been instrumental in creating women in wine associations in Portugal. Her commitment to the ancient old vines of the Douro Valley and sustainable practices shapes her work, where she blends tradition with modern approaches to winemaking.

Owner, Col d'Orcia, Tuscany

Count Cinzano's life is linked with a longstanding family tradition of winemaking which dates back to the XVII century. He was born in Lausanne, he attended the local College “Valfredo Pareto” and then begun to study Economics at the University of Geneva. In 1992 he inherited from his father the Col d’Orcia estate and became Chairman of the company. Col d’Orcia, bought by Count Alberto in 1973, is located on the southern slope of the Montalcino territory and produces organic wines from old vines. 

CEO, Tasting Climate Change Conference

Michelle is a certified sommelier, WSET-certified educator, and Stage 2 Masters of Wine candidate. In 2017, she founded Tasting Climate Change, an international symposium focused on climate solutions in the wine industry. She has published two books on wine and climate, with the latest edition released in 2024. Michelle writes for Le Devoir, Extra Brut, and Quench Magazine, appears on the TV show Curieux Bégin, and owns Vino Studio, offering WSET courses.

Executive Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission

Stuart Spencer is the Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, a trade association representing 750 winegrowers farming 90,000 acres of winegrapes and 85 wineries in Lodi, California.  Spencer has been with the Commission since 1999 and is responsible for guiding the region’s successful marketing, research, and sustainable viticulture programs including their “Save the Old” campaign committed to elevating Lodi’s historic vineyards.  In addition, Spencer is the winemaker at St.Amant Winery, founded by his parents in 1981. He has extensive experience growing, crafting, and promoting exceptional wines from Lodi’s old vine vineyards.

Owner - Villa Bogdano

After attending High School in Portogruaro, with a focus in Classical Studies, Domenico graduated with honours in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan. He held positions of responsibility in leading international investment banks and hedge funds in London. 

A passionate conservationist and advocate for old vine heritage, in 2016 he decided, together with his brother-in-law winemaker Lucio Tessari, to acquire an historic agricultural and viticultural estate near his hometown. This started an adventurous restoration and conservation project in and around the Villa Bogdano 1880 estate.

MD & winemaker, Domaine des Tourelles, Lebanon

Faouzi Issa is the Managing Director and winemaker of Domaine des Tourelles in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, owned by his family and the Issa El-Khoury family. He studied agricultural engineering at the American University of Beirut and winemaking in France, working at renowned estates like Domaine Rostaing and Chateau Margaux. Faouzi returned to Lebanon in 2008, leading the winery to international acclaim. Export growth has been crucial amid Lebanon's recent challenges and current conflict. 

Head of Technical for Wine, Bibendum

Neil Dyas is Head of Technical for Wine at Bibendum. After graduating university, he started his career as a microbiologist at Britvic and has worked in the drinks industry ever since. In his current role, Neil leads a team that supports Bibendum’s portfolio of wine producers in navigating the complex regulatory environment, alongside bringing a large range of retailer own label products to market.

Lecturer/Researcher, Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures, Angers

Originally from South Africa where he studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Stellenbosch, Etienne Neethling came to France in 2008 to complete his masters and doctoral studies. He is today a lecturer-researcher at the Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures in Angers, developing research work on adapting the wine sector to climate change. He is the head of the Master of Science in Vine, Wine, and Terroir Management and an OIV expert within the SUSTAIN group.

Wine Buying Director, Bibendum

Jamie Avenell, is Wine Buying Director at Bibendum. He began working with Bibendum some 14 years ago and has held a number of key positions within the business since then, working across most areas of the wine portfolio. Jamie is also a second year MW student and is a judge for various wine competitions including ‘Decanter World Wine Awards’.

Co-founder Vigno & Garage Wine Co.

Toronto native Derek Mossman Knapp came to Chile to ski but stayed for love and wine. In 2001, he co-founded The Garage Wine Company with his wife Pilar and oenologist Dr. Alvaro Peña. It grew into a key player in Chile’s artisanal wine scene. Derek is a founding member of MOVI and part of the Vigno Collective, reviving old vineyards with a focus on regenerative farming to produce high-quality wines and support local communities.

Owner & Winemaker, Domaine Jones, Languedoc 

Katie Jones, owner and winemaker at Domaine Jones, is devoted to preserving the heritage of old vines. Since founding the winery in 2009, she has championed the stories behind these ancient vines through her unique “Adopt an Old Vine” scheme. This initiative fosters a deeper connection between consumers and the vineyards. Katie’s virtual vineyard rambles showcase the rich terroir of Tuchan and Paziols, while her wines, made from 50 to 116-year-old vines, reflect a commitment to quality and history.

Development Director, The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation

 Over two decades, Anne worked in the Waitrose wine buying team, studied wine and spirits, and became a wine sustainability consultant. Anne emphasizes the importance of collaboration in improving sustainability impacts. She is the Sustainability Advisor and Ambassador for WineGB, helped launch the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain certification, and is a founding Trustee of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, focusing on sustainability and ESG strategy.

Programme Director, The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation

Becky is responsible for Research, Education and Engagement at the RVF. Her role is to develop the resources and community network needed to support and connect producers, wherever they are on their regenerative journey. She also manages research projects and engages wine educators to spread both awareness and understanding of the benefits of regenerative viticulture. Becky has a passion for regenerative viticulture, sparked during her MSc in Viticulture & Oenology. She uses the stakeholder engagement expertise gained in her previous career as a Public Affairs PR consultant to forward the foundation’s aims. She also rather randomly has a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Executive Director, ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers)

Rebecca Robinson has served as Executive Director of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) for 30 years. ZAP is a non-profit dedicated to promoting Zinfandel tradition and supporting California vineyards. Under her leadership, ZAP has raised millions through memberships, events, and grants. She has also been pivotal in the U.C. Davis Heritage Vineyard research, identifying heritage clones for planting. Additionally, ZAP's Communications Committee, under her guidance,

MD & Winemaker, Plaimont

Born in Lasseube, Béarn, Olivier grew up in a co-operative farming family. His grandfather inspired his passion for trees, genetic diversity, and wine. After studying at L’École d'ingénieurs de Purpan and graduating from a college of oenology in 1996, he managed forest felling in the Pyrénées before vinifying in Romania. In 1997, he became an oenologist at les Vignerons de Tutiac, later launching a winemaking project in Uruguay. Since 2012, he has been Managing Director of Plaimont Producteurs, promoting diverse grape varieties and terroirs.