2025 Judges
Chair of Judges
Andrea Pritzker MW– Wine Educator NSW
Andrea is the founder of Wine inTuition, a Sydney-based business offering wine education and corporate tasting experiences. A certified WSET educator, Andrea also works as an independent wine consultant, writer, judge, and public speaker.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, she holds a Diploma in Wine Commerce from Bordeaux and moved to Australia in 2003.
Andrea’s diverse career spans wholesale, retail, fine wine auctions, digital marketing, and wine buying—most notably for Qantas Wine. She became a Master of Wine in 2015 and now serves on the governing Council of the Institute of Masters of Wine. She also co-chairs the IMW Symposium, which will be held in Adelaide in 2026.
Andrea is Australia’s official Burgundy Wine Ambassador and also represents the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) in Australia.
She is a contributor to The Vintage Journal and was awarded Dux of the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2022.
Passionate about education and mentorship, she co-led the MW Education Program in Australasia from 2017 to 2022.
2025 Judging Panel
JUDGES
Tim Pelquest-Hunt Chief Winemaker, Orlando Wines, SA- Panel Chair
Tim is the Chief Winemaker at Orlando Wines, where he brings a deep passion and sharp palate to his craft — especially when it comes to Riesling, one of his standout specialties.
Tim followed his wine making dream to Christchurch, where he completed his graduate studies in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. From there, he threw himself into the world of wine, working hands-on across some of the world’s most celebrated regions. His journey has included vintages in the Hunter Valley, Tasmania, West Sussex (UK), Rheinhessen (Germany), Napa Valley (USA), and, of course, the Barossa Valley — a region he now proudly calls home.
Tim’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was named Dux of the prestigious Australian Wine Research Institute’s (AWRI) Advanced Wine Assessment Course and is a regular judge at wine shows across Australia, where his expertise and insight are widely respected.
When he’s not in the vineyard or winery, you’ll likely find Tim watching or talking Rugby Union — a lifelong passion — or enjoying downtime with his young family.
Cate Looney – Winemaker, Brown Family Wines , VIC
Cate is the Senior Winemaker at Brown Family Wine Group in Milawa, Victoria’s King Valley. With over 16 years at the company, she leads a team producing more than one million cases of wine annually, including the acclaimed Patricia label, for which she is solely responsible . Her dedication to innovation and quality has garnered her the 2020 Winemaker of the Year award at the Australian Women in Wine Awards.
A graduate in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University, Cate’s wine making philosophy blends tradition with innovation. She embraces experimentation to enhance wine making processes, viewing each “experiment” as an opportunity for learning and improvement . Her commitment to sustainability is evident in her efforts to reduce environmental impact, including optimizing water and energy use and repurposing grape marc waste.
Beyond the winery, Cate is a respected wine judge, serving as Secretary of the Australian Sparkling Wine Show Committee, and contributes to the Charles Sturt University Wine Courses Industry Advisory Committee . Her leadership, technical expertise, and passion for mentoring continue to influence the Australian wine industry.
Brock Harrison – Winemaker, Elderton Wines, SA
Brock Harrison has been the Winemaker at Elderton Wines since 2019, where he is dedicated to crafting expressive, site-driven Rieslings from the estate’s Eden Valley vineyards. With over a decade of experience at Pernod Ricard prior to joining Elderton, Brock developed his expertise across sparkling, aromatic whites, Chardonnay, and red wine portfolios. It was during his time as Aromatics Winemaker that he discovered a deep passion for Riesling—a variety he continues to champion.
A graduate of the prestigious AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2012, Brock has since contributed his insights as a judge at regional and capital city wine shows across Australia. His wine making philosophy—that “you’re only as good as your next wine”—reflects his drive for continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence in every vintage.
ASSOCIATE JUDGEs
Alexandra Alavoine – Senior Winemaker, Kirrihill Wines, SA
Originally from the heart of Champagne, Alexandra Ponsot brings over a decade of wine making experience to her role at Kirrihill in South Australia’s Clare Valley. Since joining the team in 2018, she has become an integral part of the winery’s success and has been leading wine making operations since late 2022.
Alexandra’s global journey in wine has taken her from her family’s grower vineyard in Champagne, to cooperatives in Provence, and across the world to California’s Napa Valley, where she worked with Mumm Napa. This diverse experience has shaped her thoughtful, detail-driven approach to wine making.
In addition to her work in the winery, Alexandra is actively involved in the broader industry — she’s a regular judge at national and regional wine shows, a graduate of Wine Australia’s Next Crop Leadership Program (2022), and a member of the Clare Valley Wine Show Committee.
Outside of wine, Alexandra is a proud mum to four-year-old Oliver and shares her love of Champagne through her side passion project, “Champagne with Alex”, where she runs engaging Grower Champagne Masterclasses for wine lovers of all level
