DWWA 2026 Regional Chairs

DWWA Regional Chair for New Zealand: Cameron Douglas MS

New Zealand’s first Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas MS is in charge of the wine and beverage programme at AUT University in Auckland.

DWWA Regional Chair for Northern Italy: Michael Garner

Michael Garner is a regular contributor to Decanter, and co-owner of Italian Wine Specialists Tria Wines Limited.

DWWA Regional Chair for Beaujolais, Southwest and Rest of France: Dominique Vrigneau

Dominique Vrigneau is Buying Director at Watermill Wines and a Chevalier du Tastevin.

DWWA Regional Chair for the UK: Simon Field MW

Simon Field MW worked for Berry Brothers & Rudd for over 20 years. In 2015, he was admitted into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino.

DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône: Matt Walls

Matt Walls is an award-winning freelance wine writer, author, blogger and consultant, contributing regular articles to Decanter.

DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa: Fiona McDonald

Fiona McDonald, trained news journalist turned wine writer, is Regional Chair for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026.

DWWA Regional Chair for Australia: Justin Knock MW

Justin Knock MW is the founder of Élevage Wines, an importer of exceptional artisanal wine wines to the UK that launched in 2024.

DWWA Regional Chair for Argentina: Paz Levinson

Argentine Paz Levinson is Executive Head Sommelier for Groupe Pic and a wine educator.

DWWA Regional Chair for Central Italy: Andy Howard MW

Andy Howard MW runs his own consultancy business, Vinetrades Ltd, which focuses on education, judging, investment and sourcing.

Almudena Alberca MW

First female master of wine in Spain, accomplished winemaker, sustainability advocate, and global consultant. Based in Spain.

DWWA Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia: Dr Wojciech Bońkowski MW

Wojciech Bońkowski is a wine writer, writing articles, blogs and books as well as being President of the Polish Wine Trade Association.

Alun Griffiths MW

Alun Griffiths MW is a highly respected wine expert with over 35 years of experience in the UK wine industry and extensive consulting work in the Chinese market.

DWWA Regional Chair for Alsace: Thierry Meyer

Thierry Meyer is the Regional Chair for Alsace at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026.

DWWA Regional Chair for Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Caucasus Region: Simon J Woolf

Simon J Woolf is an award-winning English author and wine writer, currently based in The Netherlands.

DWWA Regional Chair for Austria & Switzerland: Stefan Neumann MS

Stefan Neumann MS runs his own consultancy and online blinding tasting course.

DWWA Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia: Dr Caroline Gilby MW

Caroline Gilby MW is an author, writer and consultant, specialising on Central and Eastern Europe.