Meet the Judges – New World Wine Awards

With more than 10,000 glasses poured, each wine was sniffed, swirled, sipped and assessed by an independent panel of 26 expert judges – some of New Zealand’s most experienced winemakers and wine professionals.  

Jen Parr, Chair 

An Oregon native and graduate of Stanford University, Jen has called Wanaka home since 2008. Her experience includes winemaking in the United States, France, South Africa and Australia, as well as more than 20 harvests in New Zealand. She is the winemaker for Valli Vineyards and was awarded Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine New Zealand’s Winemaker of the Year in 2020. This is her eighth-year judging for the New World Wine Awards and her third year in a Chair role. 

Murray Cook, Deputy Chair  
Murray brings more than two decades of wine industry experience, gathered everywhere from Australia’s Yarra Valley to France’s Champagne and Burgundy regions. He has been the winemaker at Dog Point since 2013. He and his wife Rachel also run their own label, Nous. 

Helen Morrison, Panel Leader 
Since graduating as the top female student in her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology Degree at Lincoln University in 2005, Helen has worked across many New Zealand wineries, including Forrest Wines and Villa Maria. Helen is currently Chief Winemaker at Booster Wine Group.  

Natalie Christensen, Panel Leader 
Natalie has 17 years’ experience in the wine industry and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Oenology. She is the Chief Winemaker at Yealands Wine Group in Marlborough.  

Stu Marfell, Panel Leader 
Stu was born and raised in the Awatere Valley and holds a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University. Stu joined Foley Family Wines in 2003 and has been Chief Winemaker there since 2007. 

Terry Copeland, Panel Leader 
Terry has over 20 years' experience judging wine both in New Zealand and internationally. He was previously New Zealand Supply & Export Manager for Treasury Wine Estates and Wine Editor for Wine & Dine magazine in Hong Kong. Terry is currently the CEO of Federated Farmers.  

Jane Cooper 
Jane has worked in wine in New Zealand and internationally for more than three decades and is an experienced senior judge. She now runs her own wine label, Alexia, alongside an urban winery and cellar door in Wairarapa. 

John-Paul Henderson 
John-Paul is co-owner of Salty Pidgin Bar and Bistro, recognised for its award-winning wine list which he has written for the past 17 years. His passion of the industry has led him become an experienced and respected wine judge.  

Kate Bennett 
Kate has been in the wine industry for more than 20 years and judging wine for 15. She’s spent vintages across the world, from Burgundy to Tasmania, and is now Production winemaker at te Pā Family Wines.   

Laura Hutchinson 
Laura has run and established hospitality businesses in New Zealand and abroad. She holds qualifications from the World Wine & Spirit Education Trust and International Sommelier Guild and has been judging wine for over 15 years.  

Leah Kirkland  
Leah spent 15 years in London at Michelin-starred restaurants before returning to New Zealand in 2020. Since then, she's worked at Mr Morris and done vintages in Burgundy and Rippon. Leah is currently the Group Beverage Manager where she oversees Onslow, The Oyster Inn and Gilt Brasserie. 

Oliver Masters 
Oliver is an internationally renowned winemaker with over 30 years’ experience, including as a senior wine judge and chair at local and international competitions. He is the winemaker at Misha’s Vineyard. 

Richard Painter  
Richard has worked in vineyards across various regions before settling in Hawke's Bay in 2008. He's since made wine at Vidal and Te Awa Estate, and currently leads Villa Maria Hawkes Bay. 

Sam Smail 
Sam is an experienced winemaker and judge. He honed his winemaking skills during harvests in the United States and Italy and has been director of Sea Level Wines since its establishment in 2011.

Simon Fell 
Simon has over 25 years of winemaking experience working for wineries in Bordeaux, Gers, Oregon, Napa, Chile, Western Australia, and New Zealand. He is currently the Operations Winemaker for Trinity Hill in Hawkes Bay.  

Simon Nunns 
Simon is a consulting winemaker and experienced senior judge. He was the head winemaker at Coopers Creek for over 20 years and has worked vintages in the United States and France, in Oregon, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. 

• Alena Kamper, Sacred Hill, 2023 Young Winemaker of the Year 
• Callum Withington, Valli Wine 
• Calum Jamieson, New World Turangi 
• Diana Brown, New World Kumeu 
• Heidi Brittenden, New World Te Kuiti 
• Jackie Jubel, EIT 
• Jordan Robinson, Sacred Hill  
• Josh Lee, Huia Vineyards  
• Krystal Palmer, Accolade 
• Mary-Therese Blair, wine writer