The Team at Vines To Venues Australia is continually growing, and as we develop more people become involved in the project. As this concept came to light we knew it was more than just about the wine, it was about information and the integration of so many aspects of our industry, including food matching, cost management, stock control, and staff development. So who makes this all possible?
Nick Bacon – Co Founder
Having been educated at Sydney Grammar School and completing a Business & Marketing Diploma at APM Institute, Nick developed a keen interest in wine whilst still a rookie in the industry working for Sean Jones at Sydney’s Wine Banq, before heading to Merivale where he soon established himself in the pub management game and was Merivale’s Young Manager of the year in 2006. Heading to London he spent some time in the most traditional of pub venues whilst exploring the European market, where his love and passion for wine started to evolve. Once back in Sydney it was to Keystone Hospitality. Over the past four years Nick has opened venues under the umbrella of the Piccadilly Group, and consulted to many on a range of operational and systems management strategies. It has been over the last 24 months where Nick has teamed up with business partner and Sommelier, Andrew Jamieson, to build upon his passion for food and wine. He sits today as the
co-founder of Vines To Venues Australia and spends much of his time in Mudgee, NSW working at Lowe Wines and developing his own label. Nick has devoted much of his spare time to the wine world, except when the rugby is on..
Andrew Jamieson – Co Founder
Andrew has always had a passion for all things food and wine. Most likely stemming from his childhood in the Hunter Valley, it has played a big role in the his life and continues to be a passion to this day. Andrew has progressed from a career writing wine lists and managing wine bars, to enjoying the challenge of sales based role within Vines to Venues Australia. When not consulting to AHL hotels, Mrs Sippy venues or the Hugo’s Group- Andrew is currently involved in MOJO Record Bar soon to open its doors in Sydney CBD.
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Rebecca Sutton – Contributing Chef & Food Scientist
Experience with food from a grass roots level as an agronomist, Rebecca Sutton initially started out with a Bachelor of Rural Science and has now realised a dream in owning her own catering business, olive.a.twist (food.wine.science). This idea came about 15 years ago when walking to work along the cobbled streets of Edinburgh thinking it very Dickensian and with a few rumbles in her stomach, olive.a.twist (Oliver Twist) was seeded. Cooking has always been her preferred vocation in between the ‘farmer’ bits and traveling, hence a left hand turn in her career whilst in Sydney saw her take it up professionally. On completing her Sommelier Studies, hands on experience was gained over successive vintages with Lowe Family Wines in Mudgee. This has lead to wine judging both on a local and State Level. Rebecca is currently co hosting ‘Foody & the Winemaker’, a television series promoting regional food and wine producers. Whether it be writing, marketing, constructing menus or in fact, eating, Rebecca is about quality, fresh produce and supporting those who own this ethos. Rebecca has written some of the wine and food match pairings for our Mudgee wines.
Emma Williams – Contributing Sommelier
Currently looking after all things vinous at distinguished Sydney restaurant ‘Wildfire‘- Emma Williams is a freak for all things wine. From an early age Emma has endeavoured to surround herself with wine where ever she has landed. Cutting her teeth in the off premise market, Emma has had her hand in arguably some of the best bottle shop operations wether it be Oddbins in downtown Notting Hill, to everybody’s favourites East Sydney’s Best Cellars and Paddington’s Five way cellars. Emma brings to the team an energy that the wine world rarely sees and an ever growing hunger for knowledge (and wine). Emma has most recently been involved in the inception of Bondi’s newest wine bar Chapter one. Definitely a career to watch and we are proud to have her in our cellars.
Jean-Paul Buhagiar – Business Development Manager
Jean Paul (or JP to his mates) has been surrounded by all things food and wine from a young age. Growing up with diverse exposure to the offerings of multi cultural cuisine JP thought it be appropriate to evolve this passion and pursue a BA in Hotel Management at Sydney’s Intercontinental Hotel / Southern Cross University. The skill set he gained here took him many places from some of Australia’s most premium events- Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Sydney Festival, International Fashion weeks to name a few and across many corners of the Globe. In more recent times JP found himself with Keystone Hospitality starting out under Andrew at the Gazebo Wine Garden before shifting his focus to the world of wine at Shorty’s Liquor Merchants and realizing that wine was where he wanted to be. JP brings a wealth of knowledge, charisma and energy into the Vines to Venues Australia team and when not living and breathing something related to wine- you will find him patrolling the sands of Bondi Beach.
