Judges 2020

German-born but London-based, Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. She is the contributing editor for Austria, Alsace, Burgundy and England for US Wine Enthusiast Magazine and also publishes widely in trade and consumer publications. She lectures, particularly on German wine, judges at international wine competitions and is a panel chair at the IWC. Her work often focuses on Pinot Noir, Riesling and traditional-method sparkling wines. She has harvested and helped to make wine in New Zealand, Germany and Italy. Her first book, The Wines of Germany, published in Infinite Ideas’s Classic Wine Library, appeared in September 2019.

Anthony Mueller is a sommelier and wine presenter with more than 20 years of experience in the food and wine industry. He has worked as a sommelier in some of the top restaurants in the US, holds numerous wine certifications, including the Advanced Sommelier certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and has recently joined Robert Parker Wine Advocate as a reviewer, with direct responsibility for the South African market. Originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, Mueller relocated to Napa in 2014 to continue his pursuit of becoming the world’s next “double master” – studying to achieve both the Master Sommelier and Master of Wine diplomas.

Malaysian-born Fongyee began to study wine whilst at Cambridge reading Classical Chinese, and became captain of the University Blind Wine Tasting Team, leading them to victory in 2004.  In 2007, she moved to Beijing, China and became the co-founder, with Edward Ragg, of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting. She is now a specialist wine educator and consultant in English and Mandarin. Under her direction Dragon Phoenix has become one of China’s most successful wine education companies, providing taught WSET Level 4 in Mainland China. She judges regularly – she was an Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show judge in 2014 – and has appeared as a commentator on Chinese Wine on CNN.  She is also the host of WoknWine China, an internet series on food and wine with over 5 million views.

Heads up the Singita Premier Wine Direct programme for the Singita Conservation brand, sourcing and supplying wines for the group’s 15 lodges and camps in four African countries. Deeply invested in hospitality having lived and worked in Africa, France, the UK and Australia – always with the emphasis on food and wine excellence. Cape Wine Academy Diploma graduate. Graduated with distinction at the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2008, served as associate judge at the Trophy Wine Show that year and as judge from 2011 to 2017, returning in 2019. Attended the Michael Fridjhon Advanced Wine Judging Academy in 2014.

Cape Wine Master and wine marketing and communications specialist recognised for her particular expertise in champagne and Cap Classique sparkling wine. Formerly group communications manager for DGB, brand manager for Veuve Clicquot and Krug and trade marketing manager of the LVMH portfolio of Champagnes and spirits.  Currently group marketing manager for Meridian Holdings.  Convenor for Amorim Cap Classique Challenge since 2017, chaired Classic Wine Magazine’s Cap Classique panel and judge on the sparkling wine panel for Veritas since 2011. Associate judge at the Trophy Wine Show in 2012, 2014 and 2015, and judge since 2016. Director of Cape Wine Academy as well as a senior lecturer, writer and presenter under HeidiVine communications. Distinction graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2011 and Advanced Wine Judging Academy attendee in 2014.

Cellarmaster at Warwick Wines from May 2019.  Previously Cellarmaster at Steenberg Vineyards from 2012 and General Manager from July 2018 to April 2019. Graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2007 with a BSc. Viticulture and Oenology degree. Diner’s Club Young Winemaker of the Year in 2014 and Cape Winemakers Guild member since December 2018. Distinction graduate at the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2010 and attended the Advanced Wine Judging Academy in 2014.  Trophy Wine Show associate judge from 2011 to 2013 and judge in 2014, 2015, 2016 returning in 2019.

National Brand Manager at Warwick Wine Estate. Kenyan-born Fondaumiere began his journey in wine when he moved to South Africa in 2013.  He is one of only 3 ASI (international sommelier association) certified sommeliers from South Africa, has completed WSET Level 3 and is a graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Judging Academy in 2016. A qualified chef, Spencer was the operations manager and sommelier for the Open Door group of restaurants. Senior judge at The Sommeliers Selection, the Ultra Value Wine Challenge, the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc Challenge and the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge. Trophy Wine Show associate judge from 2016 to 2019.

Graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2002 with a BSc Viticulture and Oenology degree. Following vintages in Alsace, Bordeaux, Northern Rhône as well as Portugal and Western Australia, served as chief winemaker for Anwilka in Stellenbosch from 2005 to 2008. Released the maiden vintage of her Trizanne Signature Wines in 2010. A distinction graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2009 and Advanced Wine Judging Academy attendee in 2014, she has served on the judging panels for South Africa’s Young Wine Show and Wine magazine.  Winemakers’ Choice Awards judge for 5 years and Best Value Wine judge in 2015. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2010 and 2012 and judge from 2014 – 2016.