Huon Hooke & Ralph Kyte-Powell
Huon Hooke
Huon Hooke has been a regular fixture in the Australian wine scene since publishing his first column in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Living in 1987. Over more than 20 years this full-time wine writer has become a highly respected figure by both the industry and consumers alike through his uncanny skill to relate to both knowledgeable wine drinkers and also those beginning their wine journey. Always insightful yet pulling no punches Huon’s commentary on Australian wine has been required reading among Sydney’s wine drinkers for more than twenty years.
His informative, user-friendly style has also extended into all Huon’s various writing roles including regular articles for Gourmet Traveller Wine, a publication he is Contributing Editor for, The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Tom Stevenson’s annual Wine Report as well as a range of other publications on an occasional basis.
Huon has published 15 books on wine, being co-author of the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide for 14 years until 2007 as well as a biography of Penfolds Grange creator Max Schubert and was named Wine Communicator of the Year in 2008. Combined with 21 years of show judging experience in a range of shows both here and abroad Huon Hooke continues to exert a significant influence on Australian wine drinking habits.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
For over thirty years Ralph Kyte-Powell has worked in the wine and hospitality industries. It all started during a university vacation when Ralph did some work for Seppelt and thereafter immersed himself daily in all things wine. In the considerable time since his roles have included wine marketer, retailer, sommelier, vigneron, lecturer and owner/operator of a small hotel. Around 15 years ago Ralph began writing and during that time has been a regular contributor to Delicious, Cuisine, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, although he is best known as the former co-editor of the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide for eight spectacular vintages. Ralph has also had a regular radio spot commentating on wine and has in the past done the odd spot of wine lecturing and judging at Australian wine shows.
