We first met at the MW Seminar in Melbourne in 2004, and over a cup of tea, found we had a mutual love of dogs, cardigans, shoes, and wine. And tea. Though we have sailed close to the wind on a couple of occasions, we remain friends to this day.
The Independent Wine Monthly was born of a desire to write about the wines we loved, or did not, without any external editorial constraints. With so many wine columns either disappearing or being reduced to mere shopping lists we found it liberating to be able to write with our own voice.
Emma Jenkins MW
In 1999, after five years of anatomy and structural biology at Otago Uni, a summer holiday job at a most fantastic wine shop diverted me from my intended post-grad study, sealing my fate. I fell headlong into the world of wine and, after a few years selling fine wine plus a Diploma of Viticulture and Winemaking, I passed my Master of Wine in 2011, writing my Dissertation on “Is there a case for sub-regional Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?”. When not tasting, writing, judging, teaching, consulting or thinking about wine, I spend my time chasing children and animals around an overgrown garden. I also used to travel a lot.
Jane Skilton MW
I started my wine career in a small local wine shop in Nottingham, England and since then have never looked back. Gaining the WSET Diploma (awarded the Frescobaldi and Cognac scholarships), I went on to achieve the Master of Wine qualification in 1993, a week before getting married. I moved to New Zealand in 2000 (my husband is from Auckland) and founded the NZ School of Wines and Spirits, www.nzsws.co.nz teaching WSET qualifications to trade and consumers.
Whilst teaching takes up most of my time, I also contribute to wine magazines in NZ and overseas and am an experienced judge at local and international wine shows. I love travelling to wine regions around the world but have yet to visit Madeira and Santorini which remain on my bucket list.