Guest
Log In

Meet the Team

FOUNDER

Jane Skilton

Jane Skilton, Master of Wine

DipWSET (1988)

Jane began her wine career in London 40 years ago and completed the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits in 1988, gaining both the Frescobaldi and College du Cognac scholarships. She passed her Master of Wine examination in 1993 (the youngest female to pass at the time) and continues to take an active role in MW activities. 
In 2000 Jane and her family moved to New Zealand and in 2006 she founded the NZ School of Wines and Spirits, teaching WSET qualifications and general wine courses to trade and consumers. 

Read more

She is a WSET Certified Educator and whilst most of her time is spent delivering WSET courses around New Zealand, she travels internationally to teach too. 
Jane has visited vineyards in Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Cognac, Jerez, Rioja, Douro, Austria, Alto Adige, Tuscany, Sicily, California, Oregon, Washington State, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, NSW and China. Not forgetting England. And of course New Zealand. 
Jane enjoys judging both national and international wine shows and has been a guest international judge in Barossa, Rutherglen, Brisbane, Margaret River, Limestone Coast, Cowra, Hobart, Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing, and London. She is the co-editor of the Independent Wine Monthly and contributes to a number of other wine publications both in New Zealand and overseas.
She loves all wines, especially gewürztraminer, Sherry, Madeira and Champagne, though is not overly fond of cabernet franc.  

LEAD TUTOR

Ronald Wortel DipWSET

Ronald Wortel, Lead WSET Tutor, Diploma Level 4

DipWSET (2014)

Ronald has had a very diverse career, from training hospitality staff to managing a professional theatre group. But he also has more than 15 years of experience in the world of wine, starting out as an importer of Portuguese and Port wines in his native country the Netherlands in the early 2000s. He passed the WSET Level 4 Diploma with Merit in 2014. While living in New Zealand from 2014 to 2018 he taught various WSET courses for NZSWS, including Level 4 Diploma.  

Read more

In addition to teaching, Ronald writes for the leading Dutch wine magazine PersWijn and travels extensively to wine regions around the world, either for upcoming articles or for his own education. His travels have brought him to France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Portugal, England, Australia, Chile, Argentina and of course New Zealand. He has a special love for Sherry and Port, as well as for all things sparkling and German Riesling.
Ronald is currently posted to Oman from where he runs the NZSWS Diploma online teaching programme.

Josh

Josh Pointon WSET Tutor

DipWSET (2014)

Josh lives in his home town of Wellington where he started his career in hospitality and wine over twenty years ago. Josh has been involved in owning and running multiple businesses in both New Zealand & Australia. After passing his WSET Level 4 Diploma through NZSWS in 2014, Josh co-founded the highly successful Noble Rot Wine Bar in 2016. In 2019, Josh was selected to participate in the Family of XII Tutorial alongside other wine professionals from New Zealand & Australia and was awarded the Institute of Masters of Wine Prize which saw him travel to Adelaide to participate in the MW Educational Seminar. 

Read more

After seven years at Noble Rot, Josh stepped down from day to day operations to take up an opportunity with Marlborough based beverage company, Kono which represents both Tohu Wines & Hop Federation Beer. Josh looks after sales for the central & lower North Island.
Josh has has visited multiple wine regions in Australia, France, and of course New Zealand. He loves pretty much all wine but will still struggle with his relationship with Torrontés until someone shows him a good one!
 

Ina Yoon DipWSET

Ina Yoon WSET Tutor (Korean Language)

DipWSET (2019)

Ina studied at Auckland University of Technology (Bachelor of International Hospitality Management & Bachelor of Business - International Business) and in Bordeaux (L'Ecole du Vin, Bordeaux Management School). She completed the international WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in 2011, and WSET Level 4 Diploma at NZSWS in 2019.
 

Read more

Ina has worked for a number of wine companies; Wine Searcher, Pernod Ricard, Glengarry but now has her own online wine store called New Zealand Wine Boutique (www.nzwineboutique.com), offering premium wines from New Zealand to customers worldwide, including New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, the U.K. and Switzerland.
Ina often visits wine regions in and out of New Zealand, and taste wines on a regular basis. You can find daily postings of her wine journey on social media: Instagram @nzwine_ina.
Ina is also a professional harpist. When she is not tasting wine, you will find her practicing, performing or teaching the harp. 

Chris Chen DipWSET Tutor (Chinese Language)

Chris Chen, WSET Tutor (Chinese Language)

DipWSET (2021)

Chris graduated from Dalian Maritime University China, majoring in Marine Engineering. In 1996 Chris and his family moved to New Zealand. He entered the world of wine in the early 2000s, starting out as an exporter of New Zealand wine to China. He has over 15 years of experience in managing vineyards, winery operations and wine trading.
He passed his WSET Diploma, through NZSWS, in 2020.

Read more

Chris has visited vineyards and wineries in Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Champagne, Veneto, Tuscany, Mosel, California, Oregon, Washington State, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, NSW and China. And of course New Zealand.

Chris is currently establishing Old Vine Studio, consulting in wine investment and education.

Ben Leggett

Ben Leggett WSET Tutor (Spirits)

Born to the lush vineyards of Marlborough in New Zealand, Ben spent 14 years working in the UK spirits sector from cocktail bartender to Brand Ambassador, drinks writer and freelance Brand Consultant representing some of the world’s biggest names in liquor.

 

Read more

Returning to his roots, Ben has brought his love of the industry with him launching an award-winning range of aromatic cocktail bitters, building a new craft distillery and launching a premium gin all while learning to become a father for the first time.