BIOGRAPHY
Belinda started her wine career in 1986 in Bordeaux. After roles with various chateaux, she returned to the UK and worked with a south-coast wine wholesaler specialising in the wines of Europe. During this time Belinda gained the Diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London – second only to the Master of Wine.
After a number of promotions and the company being taken over, ten years later Belinda was responsible for buying and marketing 750,000 cases of wine. These wines were from all over the world and included brands created by herself from countries such as Chile, France and Australia. Belinda’s customer base was 16,000 on-premise accounts throughout the UK.
Belinda arrived in New Zealand in 1995 to the role of National Wine Manager for NZ Liquor – responsible for the buying, ranging and promotion of wine for New Zealand’s largest retail liquor chain, Liquorland. Other responsibilities at that time included valuable sponsorships, international wine competitions and the resulting exclusive award ceremonies.
Head-hunted by Glengarry Hancocks Ltd in 1999, Belinda joined the family-owned group and took responsibility for the European wine-buying. She and her team were also responsible for the wine education programme, corporate business and two prestigious brands – Krug Champagne and Riedel glassware.
Belinda left Glengarry in March 2001 and worked as an independent wine consultant. Her projects included strategic branding and marketing, tutoring, copy writing, wine evaluation, media and chairing tastings.
In March 2004, Belinda was approached by a leading Marlborough winery and accepted the role of General Manager. Her role included responsibility for all aspects of the business but with particular emphasis on branding and marketing. Belinda also introduced HR systems and a number of other initiatives that contributed to the company’s success.
At the end of the year, Belinda returned to consulting, wanting to use her experience to add value to a number of clients. Her projects include specialised branding work, marketing, blending, PR and media, sponsorships, distribution, wine evaluation and sourcing, copy writing and more.
2010 is Belinda’s sixth year as Director of the Liquorland International Wine Competition giving her responsibility for one of NZ’s leading wine shows. This activity along with regular tasting ensures she is up to date with the market, wines and wine styles. She was also a panellist for Cuisine magazine for two years.
Belinda enjoys public speaking, MC-ing and event hosting and has carried out regular engagements for events such as Savour New Zealand, The Food Show, various wine industry conferences, corporate companies, wine producers and private dinners. Also specialising in food and wine matching, Belinda has written for Winestate, Dish, M2 and the Julie Le Clerc Magazine and is an award-winning author with her first book published, ‘Marlborough on the Menu’ with Jan Bilton. Belinda also developed the concept for and was editor of ‘A Cook’s Calendar’ a recipe book created as a fund raiser for Cancer Society Marlborough. To date (May 2010) the book has raised $40,000 for the charity since its launch in late 2008.
As well as continuing to work with wine producers on strategic branding, future aspirations include writing more books, developing her online presence and further developing her constant stream of entrepreneurial ideas.
When not focusing on the wine industry, Belinda works with the Riding for the Disabled Association as a volunteer and committee member and is also a member of the board of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled, with a particular focus on branding, marketing and PR. She also enjoys fundraising for local Renwick community initiatives.
