Chief Judge - Emma Gillespie
Emma is a Senior Winemaker at Deep Woods Estate in Margaret River, and head of winemaking for Millbrook Winery. A Curtin University Viticulture and Oenology graduate, Emma has over a decade of winemaking experience, including international experience in the USA. She has been judging at regional and capital wine shows since 2016, including as a Panel Chair at Perth Royal Wine Awards, and a Senior Judge at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards. With extensive knowledge of WA’s diverse regions and varietal styles, Emma brings considerable expertise to her role as Chief Judge.
Livia Maiorana
Livia is the winemaker and co-founder of South by South West, producing organically farmed, terroir-driven wines from Margaret River and the broader South West. A former Chemical Engineer, she has completed vintages in Napa, Okanagan, Tuscany and Sicily. Livia began judging in 2022 and has judged at the Perth Royal, Wine Show of Western Australia, Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge, Geographe & WA Alternative and Blackwood Valley Wine Shows. She has completed the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course and is a 2026 Len Evans Tutorial Scholar.
Trent Kelly
Senior Winemaker at Aravina Estate in Margaret River, with more than 20 years’ experience across a range of regions and styles. An experienced wine judge, he has judged at the Sydney Royal, Melbourne Royal and Royal Brisbane Wine Awards as a Senior Judge, as well as regional shows including Cowra, Australian Single Vineyard and Margaret River. Trent completed the Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2015 and remains actively involved in the industry through the Margaret River Wine Show Committee and Provincial Project Sensory Panel.
David Bursey
David is a Winemaker at Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, with more than 25 years’ experience in the Australian wine industry. After beginning his career in Margaret River, David gained experience with leading producers across the region before moving to Henschke Cellars in South Australia, where he developed his understanding of premium Australian wine. He returned to Western Australia to join Leeuwin Estate and has remained closely involved in the Margaret River wine industry, including as Vice Chair of the Margaret River Wine Show Committee.
Ulrika Larsson
Ulrika is the Direct Sales and Brand Manager at Clairault Streicker Wines, Margaret River, where she has spent 15 years building extensive experience across premium wine, brand development, wine tourism and direct sales. Originally from Europe, Ulrika brings an international perspective to her deep knowledge of Western Australian wine. A member of the Margaret River Wine Show Committee since 2018, she has judged at the Margaret River Wine Show, WA Boutique & Single Vineyard Wine Show and WA Alternative Varieties & Geographe Wine Show.
Rory Parks
Rory is the Group Winemaker for Byron and Harold, crafting wines from regions across Western Australia. Drawn to viticulture by his passion for agriculture and Margaret River’s wild coastline, Rory completed his first vintage in 2000 and has since built more than two decades of winemaking experience. He completed the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2015 and has judged at regional wine shows throughout his career. His winemaking philosophy is centred on expressing the character of site, variety and region in every wine.
Yu Kurosawa
Yu is Sommelier at Market Eating House in Bunbury, where she manages the wine list and works closely with local producers through wine lunches and food-matching events. Originally from Japan, Yu developed her wine knowledge through hospitality roles in New Zealand, London and Melbourne, with extensive experience across Old and New World wines. She completed her WSET Level 3 in 2016 and has spent more than a decade developing wine lists, hosting wine events and building strong connections with producers. Living at Bakkheia Vins, Yu also has experience working alongside winemaking.
Mark Bailey
Mark Bailey is Senior Winemaker at Howard Park Wines, Margaret River, where he has been crafting Chardonnay and Cabernet since joining the team in 2006. With a background in hospitality in Australia and the UK, Mark completed his first vintage in France before studying winemaking at Charles Sturt University. He is a graduate of the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course and has judged at the Margaret River and Blackwood Valley Wine Shows, as well as the Halliday Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge.
Tim Fearon
Tim is the Owner and Winemaker at Fearon Wines in the Ferguson Valley, where he and his partner established their label in 2023. After almost a decade working across Margaret River wineries, Tim now focuses on site-driven wines that express the character of the Geographe region. A committee member of the Geographe Wine Association, Tim has experience judging at regional wine shows and has a particular interest in alternative varieties and their potential in a changing climate. He was also a 2026 Young Gun of Wine finalist.
