At Sommeliers Academy Neil creates and writes study material for internally and externally certified courses in wine theory, guest service and passing the rigorous exams to become a sommelier. To date he has successfully trained the highest number of people to pass the South African Sommeliers' Association Introductory Sommelier, Junior Sommelier and Certified Sommelier exams in South Africa.
Neil is currently driving the wine.co.za DTC Academy, assisting wineries to maximise direct-to-consumer business in tasting rooms and online, thus helping to build profitable and long-term brand loyalty.
Before moving to Cape Town, Neil ran a wine training and events company called Wine Geeks in the UK. This included being retained as a consultant sommelier for several fine dining clients up to Michelin Star level. Wine Geeks also worked closely with selected wine producers and agents to develop sales. These included Nyetimber, one of England’s top sparkling wine producers, to increase sales and improve client attraction. While working with Nyetimber, Neil ran a national promotion across various multiples that resulted in retail sales rising forty percent year on year.
Prior to setting up Wine Geeks Neil returned to higher education to study a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Wine Business at Plumpton College, part of the University of Brighton. Whilst studying Neil won the ‘Wine Trade Cup’ as top academic performer in the second year of study. This awarded him fully sponsored access to also study for the WSET Diploma.
It was Neil’s earlier roles which led to studying the business of wine. However, before returning to University Neil worked in logistics for DHL where he fine-tuned his business acumen. With a growing reputation he was soon headhunted to develop cutting edge CRM, data capture and consignment tracking software for a new retail logistics provider.
Neil’s career began in hospitality where he quickly progressed into management. From here he became involved in designing and opening new restaurants across the UK. It was through developing new menus and curating wine lists that his appreciation for fine wine began. Having tasted a 1982 Faustino Reserva Rioja, one of the finest vintages ever made, Neil set his sights on fine dining and becoming a Sommelier.