The vision of Saint Wine is to bring together a passionate team of hard working progressive and passionate wine professionals. If you'd ever like to chat about Saint Wine and your career path, we'd love to hear from you.
ADAM PARTINGTON
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Wine has been central to my life for as long as I can remember. From managing Dan Murphy’s outlets in Victoria, to Sales Management in NSW with Negociants Australia, wine has been the passion and the key to moulding my outlook on our industry and the practices that lead to happy consumers and successful enterprises.
In an ever-evolving industry, a few things seem to remain consistent. Quality and value will always prevail, and with so much information at your customers fingertips, underestimate them at your peril!
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Chardonnay
TYSON ROWSELL
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Hospitality is in my blood. After management roles in some of Sydney's most iconic venues, I spent 4 years as Group GM of Grounds of Alexandria.
Starting Fuse Hospitality was an exciting venture to mentor and share my experience with the industry I love so much.It led us to opening
a cafe, Dirty Red, in Glebe. I have a passion for finding better ways to benefit the customer and bring them a better glass for a fair price.Starting saint wine gave us the opportunity to work with like minded individuals and wineries, delivering true value and quality. The future looks bright and I can’t wait to share what will be next.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Shiraz
EMILIA THOMSON
SALES SUPPORT
After starting my career in RSL and sporting clubs at age 15, I found my love for service and wine very early on. I completed my certificate 4 trainee-ship while in high school before embarking on multiple Advance Diplomas in hospitality, business/Marketing and human resources which lead me to work with some of Melbourne's best restaurants; Fenix, Rockpool, Donovans, Vue De Monde, in roles ranging from Front of House to Back of House in Admin and Events.
After working with the best suppliers at these venues and dipping
my toe into the world of wine, I decided to change course and work on that side of the industry. I went on to work for Samuel Smith and Sons, and later Graphixs labels specialising in Wine Labels and packaging. I come to Saint Wine with 20 years experience and can't wait to grow with the business.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Semillon
SIMON TRAILL
STATE SALES MANAGER VIC/TAS
I have always been surrounded by wine!
From growing up on a small family Pinot Noir vineyard in Tasmania to working in Hospitality, Retail and Wholesale, wine has been an important part of my life and is where my passion lies.
Wine led me into managing Philip Murphy stores for 8 years, where I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by world class wines and some of the industry’s elite to learn from.
For the last 15 years, I’ve led teams for some of Victoria’s leading Wine Distributors, and now it is time to join as a shareholder of Saint Wine and introduce some amazing brands to the Victorian and Tasmanian markets.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Pinot Noir
VERN FITZGERALD
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
I love food, wine, travel and sales. With over 15 years experience in the Sydney hospitality scene in both front andback of house roles, I consider myself a hospitality professionalat heart. Hospitality lead to food and wine specialist sales roles with The Wine Society and Negociants Australia and my ethos is now driven by the knowledge and experiences I've collected throughout both careers. I'm most passionate about high levels of service, the great friendships formed by combining my skills in wine and food and helping your business achieve success by enhancing your wine program and leveraging my experience. Has Adam told you I was on Masterchef?
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Pinot Noir
SARAH BIRCH
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
I began my career in hospitality at the age of 16 with the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group in Northumberland, England and I continued working in luxury hotels until the completion of my degree in Fashion & Textile Retailing in 2012.
For me hospitality was always a way to fund my love of travel, and it wasn’t until I arrived in Sydney in 2013 that I decided to pursue a long-term career in food and wine. I spent the next 6 years managing Bishop Sessa/The Bishop in Surry Hills where I fell in love with wine and its ability to connect people, history and culture from vineyard to table.
I have studied wine extensively over the last few years and I am excited to bring my specialism in Australian, French and Italian wine to my role with Saint Wine. I am passionate about great service and elevating consumer experience and I look forward to working with you to enhance your wine offering.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Grenache
LUCA SCURI
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Originally from Milan, from an early age, all I wanted to do is travel. I moved to London in 1991 where I met the love of my life, Jacki, and a few years later we moved to Australia. In 1999 I started to work in hospitality in Sydney and then, after completing Wine studies at Ryde TAFE, I joined two very strong Wine retailers on the North side of Sydney; firstly, Porters Wahroonga and then Avalon Fine Wine, with the legendary Peter Marsden.
In 2007, I joined Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia where I enjoyed 12 years of great wine, team and amazing customers where I made many friends for life. Outside of wine and family, my greatest passions are my two beloved Football Clubs, Wyoming Tigers FC and AC Milan, in that order. I am a total football tragic and I am still chasing the round ball on Saturday around the football grounds of the Central Coast. My decision to join Saint Wine, is because I believe that happiness is not a feeling, it’s a choice. My mission is to assist you with all your wine needs, wine selection, food matching and staff training.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Riesling
AARON MARSHALL
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
My Passion for wine, food, keen eye for detail and customer focus tenacity has been developed through the 25 years of Hospitality in both New Zealand & Australia.
As a proud Kiwi with Maori Heritage I moved to Australia to elevate my passion and skills in both Front of House and Operational Roles, whilst learning the importance of developing and nurturing long term relationships with my guests. The combination of high end service, listening and understanding how to provide the best personable experience served me well in the 4 years as an Area Manager for Samuel Smith & Son in NSW.
Joining Saint Wine brings an exciting opportunity and a clear understanding that family is everything and that is what we represent and I look forward to developing long lasting relationships whilst having a great time tasting and discovering new wines with you.
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Aged Cabernet
DANAE LAKAI
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
I join Saint Wine with over 22 years experience working with wine and spirits. During this time my passion for learning has never ceased including achieving WSET Level 2, a Diploma of Marketing, and I'm once again thinking about my next endeavour in my quest for knowledge.
After 8 years working with the van Haandel empire at iconic venues such as Stokehouse and Prince Wine Store, I took an opportunity to learn the wholesale side of the wine business at Negociants. Over 14 years covering the busy and dynamic Melbourne CBD and inner bayside regions, my focus on problem solving and continuous improvement led me to become a multiple winner of Area Manager of the Year (2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016). I am looking forward to sharing some wonderful wines and stories with the Melbourne market on my new adventure with Saint Wine. .
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Chardonnay
BROOKE ADEY
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Hospitality is in my blood. I grew up in my parent’s restaurants, and have worked front of house in restaurants, bars and pubs for almost 15 years. After a 6 year stint in Sydney managing venues for the Bentley Group, Solotel and opening Coogee Wine Room, I am excited to be returning to my home of Adelaide!
I love wine for its stories and the incredible memories I have sharing them with friends and family. I can’t wait to get to know you and your business and help find the perfect wine for you and your guests!
FAVOURITE GRAPE — Pinot Meunier
NICK GULIN
STATE MANAGER | WA
Being born and bred in country South Australia, wine seems to have a magical way of ingraining itself into you in some way. This is certainly true for me and has become my passion.Over the last 20 years, I have gained vast experience working in a variety of roles, from some of Australia’s best retailers, to leading distributors on a national scale where I have had the privilege of working with many of wine’s great people and brands.
When I’m not drinking or working with wine, you’ll find me hanging with my family, spinning records, playing the guitar (badly) or watching the mighty Essendon Football Club. Sometimes even all simultaneously! I’m excited to bring these multitasking skills and passion for great vino to Saint Wine and the West Australian market.