Her growing interest in wine was stimulated further by a lifelong love of the food, culture and language of the countries she encountered whilst studying for degrees in modern foreign languages.

After many years working as a professional linguist (Julia is a fluent speaker of German, French, Italian and Dutch with Spanish and Russian), she progressed through WSET exams and practical vine growing and winemaking courses at Plumpton College.

Julia is an active member of the Mercian and UK Vineyard Associations, gaining hands-on experience in vineyards and wineries in the UK and New Zealand.  She recently undertook an extensive tour of the South Island of New Zealand whilst researching the issue of sustainability, as well as organic and biodynamic viticulture, for the UKVA Sustainability Working Group.

She is a lecturer and assessor in WSET programmes at colleges in Cheshire as well as working as a freelance wine educator (offering tutored tastings to clubs, societies and organising fund-raising events for charities), writer and competition judge.

For Julia wine is all about pleasure – what could be more pleasurable in life than sharing good wine and food with like-minded people.

What better way to get in touch with the people and culture of the countries of the wine-producing world than drinking their wines – preferably in the country of origin.