Our talented team have international acclaim and years of experience delivering the highest quality grape growing, winemaking and sustainable wine business environments.
We’re a passionate, professional, friendly team who thrive on delivering excellence. Our careers are marked by ambition and our desire to make outstanding wines. Let us show you.
Alistair is CEO of Vinescapes. He grew up in Switzerland surrounded by vineyards and started planting and working in vineyards and wineries in New Zealand and Australia in the late 1990’s. Alistair holds a 1st Class BSc in Viticulture & Oenology, a Masters in Wine Science and PhD in Viticulture & Climate Science, he lectures internationally on viticulture - climate relations, consult to new and existing vineyards, wine producers, policy actors, and the global wine industry.
Alistair’s research and knowledge has guided the development of the UK wine industry and has identified the premium viticulture locations in the UK. Alistair draws on 20-years’ experience to help wine production businesses establish and operate sustainably. He is also Chairman of Wines of Great Britain Research and Development committee and a Trustee of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation.
Paula joined Vinescapes in 2015 to pursue her passion for wine, transitioning from a successful career in Financial Services at various Blue-Chip organisations. As a certified accountant, she works closely with Vinescape’s clients to craft and refine their wine business plans, providing them with the expertise they need to make knowledgeable and successful ventures into the English wine sector. Additionally, Paula offers strategic support to the Vinescapes Group and the broader business, providing financial expertise and guiding the overall business direction
Joel was born and bread on his family vineyard in the Cape Winelands, South Africa, where he spent every opportunity nurturing organic vines and wines with his father. He completed a BSc in Viticulture & Pomology at Stellenbosch University. The fledgling UK wine industry sparked his interest and he moved to the UK, where in 2011 he started managing an organic vineyard in Hampshire followed by many years as Operations Manager and Consultant at multiple UK vineyards.
As a Viticulturist for Vinescapes, Rob is responsible for managing client vineyards. From preparing new sites for planting, to overseeing all viticultural tasks and tractor operations, he works closely with growers to achieve high-quality fruit and sustainable yields for premium winemaking. Rob has been in the wine industry since 2012, working with fine wine merchants in London before gaining a 1st class degree in Viticulture & Oenology.
Vintages in Bordeaux and Beaujolais, before settling in Sussex, have provided him with a practical, ecological, and data-driven philosophy on viticulture. Wine, and farming, are his passions and he says he is proud to oversee regenerative approaches that establish healthy, long-lasting vines; in vineyards that have identity and purpose in our natural landscape.
Sally is the Operations Manager coordinating the team to support establishment of new vineyards and the ongoing management of client vineyards. She organises the logistics and labour to make things run smoothly. Her project management skills and being highly organised are essential. Prior to joining Vinescapes, she completed a MSc in Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College. She had a 25-year career as an investment manager which culminated in running the Asian Discretionary Management business for Coutts and then UBP, based in Hong Kong.
She was introduced to wine in her youth when on holidays in France by her father. There was a wine club at Coutts in London where she met producers from all over the world which fired her enthusiasm. She studied for WSET 2 & 3 whilst working in Finance and her interest in the art of managing chemistry and microbiology to produce wine led her to study at Plumpton. Her favourite wine is Cote Rotie but she also enjoys the new world Syrah/Shiraz Viognier blends.
Graham works in partnership with our customers to achieve healthy, sustainable & successful vineyard businesses. He graduated from Plumpton College with a degree in Viticulture & Oenology and has spent the last 20-years managing English vineyards, most recently for the late great Steven Spurrier. For Graham, great wine is a blend of product, people and place and that’s what he and Vinescapes set out to achieve.
Sarah’s role is to develop her skills in Viticulture and Oenology, working alongside Vinescapes experts in the field. Her wine journey began overseas, working in hospitality and coming into contact with some amazing wines. On returning to the UK this led her to study at Plumpton College, where she earned a 2:1 BSc in Viticulture & Oenology. Since leaving Plumpton, she has further developed her winemaking and viticulture skills, undertaking vintages in the USA, South Africa, Germany and here in the UK. Her experiences bring a unique perspective to the English wine industry and have sparked a profound passion for wine, leading Sarah to explore its intricacies and possibilities. Sarah is driven by the belief that England can embrace its rich winemaking history, learn from global wine regions, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Her dream is to see English wines flourish, and she’s dedicated to making that a reality.
Vinescapes Ltd
Dunley Hill Court
Dorking, Surrey RH5 6SX
+44 (0) 1306 733960
info@vinescapes.com