Who is the Wine Writer?

Hi there, I’m Sammy.

 I’m absolutely thrilled to step into the role of The Wine Writer, taking over from my friend and the founder, Angie Atkinson DipWSET. While Angie focuses on her thriving Blanc Distribution company, I’ll keep the wine reviews, medals, and articles coming, both for local and imported wines.

My love for wine started when I was a kid, helping my Nana craft fruit wines from her garden, which I’d proudly serve to my grandad at his home bar. I have now amassed 15 years in the (grown-up) industry, and I look forward to the next.

My official wine journey started at 18, spending seven unforgettable years with Virgin Wines and Naked Wines UK. These innovative online wine gurus opened the door to the global industry’s captivating universe of varied flavours and personalities, igniting an unquenchable thirst for continuous exploration.

I was then a Wine and Spirits Manager for Crown Cellars, Carlsberg UK, for three years. I consulted and educated on on-premise wine and spirits listings while earning my WSET Diploma in 2018 and becoming a WSET Educator. In 2019, I left the UK and headed to the cellars of Nelson, Marlborough, and Sonoma, California, working four harvests. These hands-on experiences deepened my winemaking knowledge and respect for those working behind the wine labels.

Today, I’m the Brand Manager at Booster Wine Group and a Stage 2 Master of Wine student. I’m constantly tasting, reviewing, and writing while staying true to my mission of learning, promoting, and educating in this one-of-a-kind industry I’m so passionate about.

Cheers,
Sammy x