Marketing Committee

A man sitting at a table with multiple wine glasses, wearing a striped shirt, with glasses resting on his head, in a setting with wooden paneling and a blurred background.

Dr Angus Hughson (Chair)

Angus Hughson is an award winning publisher and wine writer with a focus on building a greater understanding of Australian fine wine, both in local and international markets. He is Australian Editor for Vinous with Antonio Galloni, as well as Founder of Winepilot and The Vintage Journal. In 2021 Angus began working with Andrew Caillard MW to raise funding, project manage and co-publish The Australian Ark, which has since won numerous local and international awards. Angus is now the Executive Director of The Australian Ark Foundation overseeing fundraising and operations.

A woman with light skin, shoulder-length auburn hair, wearing a green dress with a pleated design, pearl earrings, smiling in front of black horizontal blinds.

Amanda Whiteland

Amanda Whiteland is the dynamic former CEO of the Margaret River Wine Association, where she led the organisation for nine years and played a pivotal role in strengthening the Margaret River wine region’s brand recognition, particularly across key international markets. Prior to returning to her native Western Australia, Amanda built an extensive international career in premium brand marketing, beginning in Japan as Regional Manager for Foster’s Wine Estates (now Treasury Wine Estates), managing its international wine portfolio. She subsequently held domestic brand marketing roles in Australia before spending three years with Moet Hennessy in Paris. With more than 25 years’ experience in the wine sector, Amanda brings a unique combination of expertise in brand marketing, regional identity, international markets and cultural values, which is widely respected across the industry.

A man in a white shirt and dark blazer sitting in front of wine bottles on a wooden shelf.

Matt Deller MW

Matt Deller MW is Managing Director and CEO of Wirra Wirra, Ashton Hills and Hahndorf Hill. Following successful roles in the United States and New Zealand, he returned to Australia in 2022 and has since led the revitalisation of the Wirra Wirra and Ashton Hills brands, alongside a significant expansion of their international presence.

A man wearing a brown jacket and a gray shirt, standing in a vineyard, holding a cluster of green grapes.

Eddie McDougall

Eddie McDougall is the proprietor and oenologist of E.J. McDougall and The Flying Winemaker. A Len Evans Scholar, Eddie blends rigorous fine wine pedigree with elite commercial acumen. Operating at the intersection of premium viticulture and international trade, he leverages exceptional cross-border networks, M&A expertise, and government advisory experience across Greater China to champion Australia’s fine wine agenda.

A woman with light brown hair, blue eyes, and light skin, smiling and wearing a black sleeveless top, standing outdoors in front of a wooden background.

Emily Sharland

Emily Sharland is a brand, marketing and communications specialist and former Head of Marketing Communications at Vasse Felix and Idée Fixe. Emily's approach combines strategic brand thinking with creative omni-channel campaigns and experiences that connect wine and place with contemporary audiences. Based in Melbourne, her portfolio includes Wines of Western Australia, Margaret River Wine Association and Heytesbury Wine Group.

A black-and-white headshot of a young man with dark hair, smiling, wearing a suit and tie.

Tom Portet

Tom Portet is Co-Founder of International First Growths and co-directs an international wine courtier business with deep connections to La Place de Bordeaux. He has helped position and promote some of Australia’s most sought-after fine wines internationally, including Cloudburst, Jim Barry The Armagh and Giaconda.

Stephanie Duboudin

As the CEO of Wine Victoria, Stephanie Duboudin has played an inspirational role in building the reputation and export sales of Victorian wine through governance, advocacy, collaboration and sustainable initiatives. Her skill in navigating the complexities of government, industry and commercial organisations is legendary within the Victorian wine community and the greater Australian wine industry.

Chris Tyrrell

Chris Tyrrell is the CEO and fifth-generation winemaker with Tyrrell’s Wines and President of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. Chris oversees one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries while possessing many surviving 19th and early 20th Century surviving vineyards. His fine wine experience, knowledge and personal feeling of place will help bring our national story to life.

Tijana Laganin

Tijana Laganin has worked with The Australian Ark Project, Winepilot and The Vintage Journal for several years as a member of the editorial team, social media specialist and project manager. With a keen eye on younger consumers, she brings uniquely valuable insights and experience.