Our People

Michael Darby

Michael is our lead wine educator and a WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) certified educator, WSET Diploma graduate and certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers.

With experience as a wine producer, sommelier and educator, Michael brings together a broad range of knowledge and experience. He is currently a student on the Institute of Masters of Wine program.

Adam Chapman

Adam is our lead spirits educator. He is a WSET (Wine and Sprits Education) certified educator, WSET diploma graduate, IBD General Certificate in Distilling (Cereal), EWA Diploma in Single Malt Whisky, Australasia’s FIRST Master Rummelier, and is currently studying toward his IBD Diploma in Distilling. He is the first graduate in the Southern Hemisphere to complete the WSET level 3 Award in Spirits and is it’s first teacher in Australasia. He is also the Head Distiller of Sunshine & Sons Gin and Vodka, and Nil Desperandum Rum.

Ngarita Warden

As an experienced educator, Ngarita brings a great deal of wine knowledge and experience to teaching. She competed her Post Graduate Diploma in Oenology and Viticulture at Lincoln University, and has worked in wineries, vineyards and in wine buying roles. Having worked for WSET (UK) in course development for three years, she has many years of experience teaching WSET in New Zealand. She is currently a lecturer in Wine Science and Wine Production at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in Blenheim.

Anna Lau

Anna is our specialist in teacher training. As a trained secondary teacher, with experience in teacher education and development, Anna’s role is to assist and develop our teaching team.