Beyond the Dagwood dogs, show bags, wood choppers and CWA (Country Womens’ Association) scones of this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, a new breed of women is shaping Australia’s wine tastes. While it may have been an epic 190 years in the making, Samantha Connew’s journey to becoming the first female Chair of Judges of the Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show is as much about blazing a trail for the next generation as it is about staying true to herself and that includes her “No Dickhead policy”.
Whilst working your way through 2,330 of Australia’s best wines sounds like the perfect Easter long weekend, Ms Connew was quick to tell me that it’s not all fun and games and that she was “very excited” to be taking over the top job. Lyndey Milan OAM, Sydney Royal Committee Chair said “Sam has earned her stripes as an experienced wine judge and panel chair. She’s a talented winemaker, wine educator and taster. She has been a great contributor to the show system, and she has a real passion for the Sydney Royal Wine Show.”
So what’s the first thing you do when you’re about to make history? Surround yourself with a kick-ass posse of judges! Samantha’s priority was to get the mix “just right” she said. The team was over a third female hailing from every state in Australia, even across the pond. They represented the next generation of Australian sommeliers, educators, writers, distributors, retailers, marketers and winemakers with a Master Sommelier and a Master of Wine thrown in for good measure.
“It’s vital that you’ve got the right people in the room, people who know what they’re doing and work really well together,” she said. “ It’s the No Dickhead policy, I don’t care if they’re talented or not, I want to work and be surrounded by people who are really good at what they do, and that have respect for the other people they are working with.”
Championing that diversity in the next generation is a priority for Samantha.
“The industry does have a blokeyness to it,” she said. “So its important for the young guys to see that there are strong women as Chair of Judges or who have Panel Chaired shows, to see that as the role model, for the young women coming through” she said. “I know how important it is to have that couple of words of encouragement, for someone to give you a chance and just go that extra mile and give you a go.”
Samantha’s “No Dickhead Policy” seems to be paying off, with 2016 delivering a staggering 171 Gold Medal wines for us to wrap our lips around.
Award winning Australian wines to drink this weekend
Things to eat and drink
See what all the fuss is about when you head to the Easter Show and jump into one of the Sydney Royal Talk and Taste sessions, bringing you all the award winning produce paired with the marvellous people who make them! Check out the Easter Show website for further details.
Everyone Loves a Winner
And with over 1000 to choose from get lost in the only list that counts at the Sydney Royal Wine Experience Saturday 30th July.
