Sommeliers Australia Committees

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

President: Ben Edwards (VIC)
Ben learnt his craft in some of Australia's finest restaurants and is now one of the country's leading wine consultants and commentators. Ben is a former dux of the Len Evans Tutorial, a highly respected show judge and now right hand man to James Halliday. Ben is also Director of The Wine Guide and is an authority not only of Australian wine but the best from Europe and the rest of the world.

Vice-President: David Lawler (VIC)
One of Melbourne's most respected sommeliers, David presides over the encyclopaedic wine list at Rockpool Bar & Grill. A Len Evans Scholar and wine show judge, David learnt his trade on the floors of Melbourne's finest dining institutions, including Ondine, Langtons and Vue du Monde, with his service skills as impeccable as his wine knowledge

Treasurer: Peter Marchant (QLD)
Arguably Queensland's most esteemed Sommelier, Peter was co-owner with Chef David Pugh of the much-lauded Restaurant Two in Brisbane for over ten years. and is now the On Premise Sales Manager for Mezzanine in Queensland. Peter is a certified sommelier and was one of five national finalists for Gourmet Traveller Maitre'd in 2008.

Secretary: Franck Moreau (NSW)
At the age of 21, Franck commenced work as a Commis Sommelier at the highly esteemed 'La Tour D'Argent', famous for its cellar of over 500 000 wines. Franck then moved to London to become Assistant Sommelier at 'Gordon Ramsay at Claridges'. 12 Months later, he was the Head Sommelier at 'Marcus Waring at The Savoy Grill', also part of The Gordon Ramsay Group. Both of the above Restaurants gained Michelin stars within 12 months of opening.
In 2004, Franck became Head Sommelier for Pier Restaurant Sydney, and in October 2005, he joined The Merivale as Group Sommelier, based at Est. Restaurant.
Since then, Franck Moreau was awarded second place at the prestigious Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) 1st contest of the Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania competition in Osaka, Japan, Oct 2009 and was placed in the top 12 in 2010's Sommelier du Monde in Chile.


THE STATE COMMITTEES

VICTORIA
Joining national committee members Ben Edwards, David Lawler, Chris Crawford and Dan Sims in the Victoria State Chapter Committee are:
* Bryan Fort (TBC)
* Evan Milne (Scorched)
* John Pfister (red+white)
* Liam O'Brien (Circa)
* Lisa Beck (City Wine Shop)
* Matthew Turnball (red+white)
* Sally Humble (Cutler & Co)
* Tony Nowell (Moor St Wines)
* Ben Knight (Ben and Wine)
* Will Wager (Torbreck)

NEW SOUTH WALES
Joining national committee members Ben Moechtar, Tim Stock and Franck Moreau on the New South Wales State Chapter Committee are:
* Tony Venn
* Trish Redman
* Michael Davey (Cellarmasters)
* Greg Richardson (Vinous Solutions)
* Sophie Otton (Rockpool)
* Franck Moreau (Merivale Group)
* Kim Bickley (Glass)
* Daniel Wegener (Quay)
* Rob Geddes (Winestream)

QUEENSLAND
Joining the Queensland Chapter Head Peter Merchant in the Queensland State Chapter Committee are:
* Matt Brook (Ortiga)
* Michael Martin
* Bree Boskov (De Bortoli)

WEST AUSTRALIA
Joining the West Australia Head Ed Wolkowinski in the West Australia State Chapter Committee are:
* Sam Badger (Must Wine Bar, Margaret River)
* Carolynne Troy (Amuse)


SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Joining the South Australian Chapter Head Louise Radman in the South Australian State Chapter Committee are:
* James Erskine (Jaume Wines)
* Travis Tausend (Cork Wine Cafe)
* Michael Harrison (Boutique Wine Sales Agent & Hospitality Consultant)
* Glenn Beale (A-List Fine Wines)


TASMANIA
Joining the Tasmanian Chapter Head Joseph Burton in the Tasmanian State Chapter Committee are:
* Ces Tucceri (T42)
* Kif Weber (Smolt)
* James Welsh (Black Cow)