Symposium Speakers

Kai Voss-Fels is Professor of Plant Breeding at Geisenheim University, Germany, leading a team focused on breeding horticultural crops, particularly grapevine. He earned his PhD in plant breeding and quantitative genetics from Justus Liebig University Giessen in 2016, followed by a role as senior research fellow and group leader at the University of Queensland, Australia, from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, he returned to Geisenheim to establish a research program integrating different omics and predictive tools to accelerate grapevine improvement. In 2024, he became Professor and Head of the Plant Breeding Department. The department’s research emphasizes genomics, digital phenotyping, quantitative genetics, and biotechnology to develop prediction-based breeding strategies for viticulture and horticultural crops. His team breeds improved grapevine rootstocks, clones of traditional varieties, and new hybrids with enhanced resistance to fungal diseases.

Professor and Viticulture Extension Specialist, Oregon State University

Dr. Skinkis conducts applied research and provides outreach and education programs for the Oregon wine grape industry statewide. Her research program focuses on applied viticulture and whole plant physiology studies designed to understand management of vine vigor/vine balance and impacts on fruit composition and wine quality. Her research also includes work on wine grape yield (from bud fruitfulness to crop thinning and vine balance), fine-tuning canopy management methods, sustainable viticulture production, and understanding factors that drive vineyard production decision-making.  As Extension Specialist, Patty develops educational programs and informational publications for the industry in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Her outreach efforts include bringing producers together in technical groups to foster information exchange between industry and academics, and she serves on industry advisory committees. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate level viticulture courses at Oregon State University. Her efforts expand beyond Oregon, as she served as a board member and held leadership positions in the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, is a member of the Extension Committee for the National Grape Research Alliance and is an associated editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture.

Roy Urvieta grew up in the district of La Consulta in Mendoza, one of Argentina's most renowned regions for high-quality wines. He initially studied computer science but fell in love with winemaking after a summer job at Catena at the age of 18. Roy continued working as a winemaker at the Catena Institute of Wine while completing his Bachelor's degree in Enology at the National Technological University "Regional Mendoza."

One of Roy's first projects was to study the behavior of different Pinot Noir clones and record the quality of each parcel. In 2016, he began his Ph.D. in Agronomy at the University of Buenos Aires, focusing on Sensory Sciences. His doctoral research is centered on descriptive sensory analysis, with practical training conducted at Heymann Lab, UC Davis. He is currently working as a winemaker at the Catena Institute of Wine and Domaine Nico, a project by Laura Catena focused on high-altitude, cool-climate Pinot Noir in Mendoza.

Roy has published scientific articles in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports and Science of Food by Nature Publishing Group, contributing to the understanding of the terroir of Mendoza.

Not many people take up something as demanding as luthiery at the age of 70, which might have been too much spare time with offspring all fled, but more likely his perpetual disease: bores easily.

The severe rationing of JetA1 for climate purposes means he spends several months each year touring Europe by TGV and Tesla, supposedly to visit the markets, more likely to keep up to speed on the restaurants.

Rumour has it that he will be returning to the winery kitchen for vintage this year, so turn up at lunchtime at your own risk!

Edmond de Rothschild Heritage NZ General Manager | Rimapere & Akarua single estates

Anne was born in the Rhône Valley, from wine & food enthusiast parents. Having graduated as Master in Viticulture, Vinification and Vineyard Management from the National School of Agricultural Engineering in Bordeaux; her passion for wine led her to settle in Languedoc Roussillon for 10 year, as a viticulturist consultant for premium wine estates. In 2007, she moved with her young family in New-Zealand, where they all fell in love with the kiwi way of life. For 12 years, she has been the viticulturist of the very challenging vineyard Ara in Marlborough. In 2019, she joined Edmond de Rothschild Heritage NZ to focus on what she considers the most important aspect of her GM role: excellence in wine and management, as well as a respect for the culture and the land. The mission started with Rimapere in Marlborough before expending in Central Otago with the acquisition of Akarua.

Head Winemaker | Defined Wine Ltd

Nick Lane joined Defined Wine in November 2020. Prior to this Nick had been part of the Dom Pérignon winemaking team since January, 2017. He made the move to Champagne in 2015 starting at Veuve Clicquot before joining Moet et Chandon.

Born in Geneva in 1975 to New Zealand parents, Nick admits that his passion for the terroirs of France dates back to 1993, when he first came to France as a 17 year old. After studying science at the University of Auckland, he continued his studies in Toulouse where after two years he was awarded a Diplôme National d’Oenologue (DNO). While in France Nick acquired valuable harvest experience in the Dordogne, Burgundy and in the Languedoc. He then explored the vineyards of the New World, with stops in Hawkes Bay, California and Victoria.

Nick returned to New Zealand in 2003, where he joined the team at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. A passionate winemaker, Nick remained at the estate for 13 years, honing his oenological expertise and crafting of cool climate wine styles. He contributed to the elaboration of 13 vintages at Cloudy Bay.

Dr Jo Burzynska is a New Zealand-based sound artist, wine writer, researcher and curator. Her work in these areas has increasingly converged in the production of multisensory art and the design of immersive environments, which include the establishment of the world’s first ‘wine and sound’ bar. As a sound/multisensory artist she has exhibited, performed and released her work around the world, while in her role as an international wine critic and judge, she has written widely read wine columns and is the author of Wine Class: All You Need to Know About Wine in New Zealand (Random House).

Her installations and performances are regularly created at the intersection of the senses, often combining her specialisations of audition and the chemical senses (taste and olfaction). Recent years have seen her work on numerous projects that fuse multisensory art and science, which has involved research with leading figures in the fields of experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience and sensory science. She was awarded a PhD for her interdisciplinary research that investigated sensory and aesthetic interactions between sound and flavour/aroma and their creative application.

Genetically Modified Optimist

David has had a successful career in the private and public sector and is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

He also acts as a consultant and is a director on several boards, including as Chair of The Icehouse, and the Hi-Tech Trust. David is an ex-comedian, TV and radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, cancer survivor and a published author of the books No.8 Re-wired, No.8 Recharged, A Mild Touch of the Cancer, and Silver Linings.

David founded SOS Business, a hugely successful not-for-profit initiative to help cafes and other small businesses during covid-19.

Since 2004 Professor Richard Green has been lecturing at UC after running his own successful 50 staff software company in Sydney (sold to a multinational).

Over the last 20 years, Richard has raised $26m at UC for precision agriculture research and development. With over 200 refereed publications, Richard has led (as PI) many successful MBIE projects - and is currently leading a $6m autonomous robot-vine-scanner project and a $10m project for drones using precision tools.

He also co-chairs the NZ AI Researchers Association and leads UC AI (UC Research Cluster).

Associate Professor Amber Parker is the Director of the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University, New Zealand. She completed her PhD at Lincoln University in collaboration with Bordeaux Sciences Agro-ISVV-Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of Grapevines, France. From there, she worked as a scientist in grapevine modelling at Plant & Food Research, then started at Lincoln University in 2015. Her research focuses on understanding environmental drivers of phenology, investigating the impacts of effects of source-sink modifications of the grapevine on phenology and asynchrony of fruit composition, and understanding impacts and adaptations for viticulture in the context of climate change. She also has a keen interest in implementing precision viticulture techniques. She enjoys working with the wine industry on research projects to help solve key issues, and to develop new ideas and solutions for future sustainable grape and wine production, particularly in the context of global climate change.

Andree is the Sustainability Manager at Yealands Wine Group, a company dedicated to sustainability in the wine industry. Yealands is committed to creating wines that are nature-positive, carbon-positive, and include a commitment to share what learnt. This vision ensures that their operations not only protect but actively restore ecosystems, reduce carbon footprints, and promote a flourishing environment for future generations.

Andree leads the company’s sustainability initiatives. She integrates sustainability into business planning, fosters a culture of environmental responsibility, and ensures that sustainability efforts align with the company’s long-term goals and business performance.

Beyond her role at Yealands, Andree is dedicated to driving change across the wine industry. She serves on the board of directors for the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) and the New Zealand Circular Wines Committee, where she collaborates with like-minded professionals to create a sustainable future for winemaking.

Jane Skilton began her wine career in London, passed her Master of Wine examination in 1993. She and her family relocated to New Zealand in 2000.

Jane founded the New Zealand School of Wines and Spirits, NZ's leading provider of wine education, delivering WSET qualifications including the L4 Diploma, both at home and overseas. She teaches on behalf of NZ Winegrowers, Wines of Austria, Barossa Wine, Wines of California and the Institute of Masters of Wine both locally and internationally.

Jane is the NZ contributor to www.insideburgundy.com and co-editor of Independent Wine Monthly. She is an experienced wine judge, industry consultant and presenter.

Jeff Sinnott has worked in the wine industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the USA & Europe since the 1980’s.  His whakapapa links are to Ngati Tūwharetoa and to Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa and is a member of the Tuku Māori Winemakers Collective.  After an early career in music he graduated from Roseworthy in 1992, he has taught and researched in wine science, has made wine in most NZ wine regions & California and was until recently  National Technical Viticulturist for Constellation Brands NZ.  Along with his family he helped pioneer viticulture in the Waitaki Valley.  He is a member of the NZW Environment Committee, the Technical & Governance teams of Project Raumatatiki – Freshwater Farm Planning for Viticulture and is Chair of the New Zealand Society for Viticulture & Oenology.  Given that there is no sustainable future in bad Jazz drumming he consults to vineyards & wine companies across Aotearoa.

Having worked as a winemaker in the industry for 20+ years, Helen has also been involved in the background in her share of organising committees, including the recent Pinot Noir NZ 2025 celebration and the biannual Organic Winegrower conferences.  During her previous 9 years at Villa Maria, she was responsible for creating award-winning wines that achieved global recognition. Currently as Chief Winemaker for Booster Wine Group, she is leading the winemaking team crafting exceptional wines that showcase many brands across multiple regions of New Zealand, including BannockBrae from Central Otago, Awatere River in Marlborough and Sileni in Hawkes Bay. Whenever Helen can sneak away from work, she can be found somewhere in the mountains, either hiking with her dogs Dita & Blue, or ski-touring to remote alpine areas to find fresh untracked powder.

Dr David Jordan (DJ) is a Viticulturist and the Principal Consultant at Vine to Wine to Market, based in New Zealand. Highly regarded for his knowledge and experience in wine and viticultural businesses, David consults to many wineries, vineyards and wine businesses in New Zealand and Australia.

He has been named a New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) Fellow in recognition of his services to the industry and its research over the past 40 years. David has been involved with the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology for 34 years and was the President for much of this time. He is a current member of the New Zealand Winegrowers Research Governance Committee and part of the organizing committee for three international Cool Climate Symposia. He is a dedicated industry advocate and has been involved with an extensive range of research projects and initiatives, including Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) and the development of the NZLighter Wines programme.

Te Radar wanted to be a war correspondent when he was a kid. He wanted to tell historical stories he didn’t see being portrayed. Naturally, he went to drama school, coming out full force in the comedy scene before diving into documentary making. In the course of his career Te Radar has dived with sharks, narrowly avoided a rabbit while racing a Formula 3 car at 200kph, plunged into the frozen Ross sea in only a skimpy pair of togs and interviewed Yassar Arafat under the watchful eye of gun-toting Palestinian soldiers.

Te Radar does not profess to be someone on the hero ’s journey. He enjoys life, has the ability to say yes to anything and wants to share it all with people. He is a story teller and his goal is to make all his work thought provoking, entertaining and joyous.

Te Radar appears by arrangement with Johnson & Laird Management.