CLIVE HARTLEY DipWSET

Wine Tutor

A seasoned author, wine writer, sommelier, wine judge and professional wine educator, Clive Hartley has brought thirty-plus years of experience in the wine and hospitality industries both in the UK and Australia to bear in educating and writing about his love of wine. Based at the Sydney Wine Academy he delivers courses for keen amateurs to seasoned professionals.

Clive initially entered a career in hotel management before branching off into restaurants and wine bars. Between 1983 and 1986 Clive jointly ran the award winning and famous Hoult’s Wine Bar in South London, as well as running the adjoining wholesale wine warehouse for two years. During this time Clive developed his love for wine and studied at the British Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Clive holds the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirit and is an Associate member of the Institute of Wines & Spirits (AIWS).

Since settling in Australia in 1989 Clive has continued to study and teach wine first at East Sydney College and now at Ryde College, Sydney. He’s found time to pick up a Diploma in Teaching and Degree in Education as well as visiting all the major wine regions within Australia. He has travelled extensively overseas and has visited wineries in New Zealand, USA, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and of course France. He boasts extensive experience judging wine shows, including the Verona International Wine Competition, the NSW Wine Awards, Australian and New Zealand Organic Wine Show and Griffith Wine Show including judging on Winestate panels.

As well as being Winestate’s regular columnist for Wine Tutor, Clive is author of the Australian Wine Guide and is an occasional guest on the Food in Focus program on 89.7 Eastside FM radio. He is also a wine consultant to wine companies, restaurants and retail wine stores and has experience in importing wines into Australia from France and Italy.

Clive is an Honorary Life member of the Australian Sommeliers Association and also a member of Wine Communicators Australia, formally the NSW Wine Press Club. Clive has completed a number of projects and consulted to government bodies on wine related curriculum for Australia.

In 2008 Clive established the Sydney Wine Academy at Ryde College which now delivers courses from the UK’s Wine and Spirit Education Trust internationally recognised and established in over 50 countries world-wide. The academy delivers wine courses and corporate training around Australia. In 2010 he was instrumental in re-introducing the prestigious WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits to Australia. In 2011 the academy was awarded the Riedel Trophy for International Wine Educator of the Year.

In 2015 Clive introduced the French Wine Scholar programs to Australia organised by the French Wine Society.