Celebrating the rising stars of wines and spirits: Meet the 2025 IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine and in Spirits shortlists

This is the final of our three blogs announcing the shortlists for this year’s IWSC Emerging Talent Awards. IWSC Emerging Talent Awards shine a spotlight on the people who are shaping the future of the drinks world, here we reveal Emerging Talent in Wine and Emerging Talent in Spirits.

These awards were created to champion individuals making a real impact in wine and spirit; whether through innovation, leadership, education, or entrepreneurial flair.

Emerging Talent in Wine, in partnership with London Wine Fair

The 2025 Emerging Talent in Wine shortlist showcases six exciting individuals who are driving change across the trade.

Arnica Rowan stood out for her unique approach to education and community. Her work through  Vinica Education Society and her inclusive social impact projects highlight her as a brave and original voice making real change in wine access and equity.

Emma Hodges was recognised for her powerful grassroots work around neurodiversity in wine. Emma works in secondary education by day and focuses on wine communication out of hours. Her campaign to make wine education more inclusive is opening doors for people who’ve previously been left out.

Isobel Salamon impressed the panel with her creativity and drive. Her “clay wine” festival brought together art, winemaking, and community in a fresh and inventive way, while her entrepreneurial energy came through loud and clear.

Jessica Summer’s application was her second for this award. Her brand, Mouse & Grape, has grown significantly since she first applied last year, and she now has a physical shop, a loyal following, and a sharp, modern approach to wine and food pairing. Her clarity of vision, entrepreneurial skills, and compelling communication stood out to the judges.

Mia Meng Zhang was praised for her work promoting wines from emerging regions, particularly China. Her video submission wowed the judges, and her mix of marketing savvy, digital storytelling, and academic rigour made her a clear example of rising talent with international potential.

Tom Fahey was also a strong contender. As owner and buyer at The Terrace Rooms, he’s built a distinctive, quality-led retail business that supports sustainable and small-scale producers. His commercial instincts are well balanced with deep wine knowledge and an impressive global outlook.

Emerging Talent in Spirits, sponsored by Komoro - Karuizawa Distillers
Over in the spirits world, four finalists made the shortlist in a hotly contested category that celebrated makers, innovators and changemakers from across the industry.

Ally Ayres was recognised for her journey building Karu Distillery in Australia. A hands-on founder, Ally is involved in every part of her business, from production and branding to sales and social media. Her spirits consistently perform well in international competitions, and judges praised her as a force of energy and authenticity. After being shortlisted last year, she’s kept pushing and evolving, and this year, her moment truly arrived.

Joe Barber made the list for his practical yet creative work in contract distilling. At Wrecking Coast, he’s providing a crucial platform for small producers, helping them bring new ideas to market. The judges saw him as a smart and curious operator who’s doing important, behind-the-scenes work that keeps innovation alive.

Kaya Guzinska from Edrington was recognised as a rising technical star in whisky. Her depth of knowledge, grounded in scientific training, stood out - alongside her ambition to follow in the footsteps of the great women blenders and makers. Judges highlighted the need for more voices like hers to emerge from the big brands and reshape the conversation.

Siobhan Feeley is making a big impact at 58 and Co, and her work speaks for itself. From olive oil vodka to soju and baijiu, she’s helping drive innovation and diversify production at a high level. Judges also noted that she’s someone who’s done a lot behind the scenes, and this recognition is well deserved.

Meet the Judges

Our Emerging Talent awards are shaped by industry leaders who truly recognise rising stars.

This year’s wine judging panel brought a wealth of experience and sharp industry insight: Hannah Tovey, Director of the London Wine Fair, offered her expert knowledge of the UK wine scene; Daria Kholodilina, wine communicator and former Emerging Talent winner, brought a fresh eye for innovation; Master of Wine Sarah Abbott, founder of Swirl Wine Group, is a driving force for diversity in wine; journalist and broadcaster David Kermode added a media-savvy edge; and Cat Lomax, former buyer and now drinks and drinks retail consultant, contributed years of commercial and educational expertise.

The judging panel for our Emerging Talent in Spirits award featured some of the most respected voices in the industry. Ian Chang, renowned for his pioneering whisky-making at Kavalan and now Karuizawa, brought a wealth of expertise from Asia’s spirits scene. Rohan Shah, last year’s winner and founder of Rwanda’s trailblazing rum distillery, offered a fresh, entrepreneurial perspective. Spirits expert and commentator Olivier Ward added his sharp eye for quality and innovation, while Dawn Davies MW, buying director at Speciality Drinks, contributed her unrivalled knowledge of premium spirits.

Together, they’ve helped identify the people who are not just doing great work now, but who will shape the future of our industry.

If you missed them, read about the Communications and Hospitality short lists reveled earlier this. We will be revealing this year’s winners week commencing 6^th April. Look out for more information here on our website and on our social media channels. (Instagam, Facebook and LinkedIn.)

Meet the shortlisted candidates

Emerging talent in wine

Arnica Rowan [@arnicarowan] is a Canadian wine communicator, strategist, and educator who blends academic rigour with hands-on expertise. A contributor to JancisRobinson.com and co-owner of Terroir Consulting, she works with wine regions and producers globally. As a Master of Wine stage 2 candidate and founder of Vinica, she champions inclusive education in wine, creating pathways for BIPOC professionals across North America to thrive in the industry.

Emma Hodges [@emmaswinetime] is a passionate wine communicator dedicated to making the industry more inclusive and accessible. Combining over two decades of experience in accessibility with her wine expertise, she’s developed training programmes for hospitality teams and built a growing digital platform that spotlights inclusive wine experiences. Recognised as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Drinks, she’s also a Drinks United advisor shaping the industry's inclusive future.

Isobel Salamon [@bellespick] is a dynamic wine educator, buyer, and event creator known for connecting audiences with global wine culture. A certified specialist in Rioja, Cava, Sherry, and Bordeaux, she brings a wealth of knowledge to every tasting. As founder of CLAY, the UK’s first amphora wine fair, and director of Slonk Ltd, she leads wine education and buying strategies with flair, bridging the gap between trade, storytelling, and consumer engagement.

Jessica Summers [@mouseandgrape] turned a love of cheese and wine into Mouse & Grape, a thriving brand celebrating thoughtful pairings. From online hampers to her newly opened deli-bar in Pinner, Jessica’s business has grown into a national name, known for creativity, hospitality, and quality. A regular media contributor and multi-award finalist, her work champions joyful, approachable wine experiences—winning over customers and critics alike.

Mia Meng Zhang [Wechat @miamengzhang | Red Note @mia_miaobuzui] is a bilingual wine communicator and marketing director at the Beijing International Wine & Spirit Exchange. A WSET Diploma holder, educator, and award-winning regional ambassador, Mia bridges cultures through wine education, content, and event strategy. Her pioneering work promoting Chinese wine regions and curating national tasting programmes places her at the forefront of China’s modern wine movement.

Tom Fahey is the driving force behind The Terrace and The Terrace Rooms & Wine on the Isle of Wight, venues celebrated for their ambitious wine lists and immersive hospitality. Formerly a professional reviewer, Tom now curates over 1000 wines, hosts daily tastings, and leads a growing wholesale business. His accolades, including Best UK Wine List and a Pinot Noir Sommit scholarship, spotlight his rapid ascent in the wine world.

Emerging talent in spirits

Ally Ayres [@spiritu.ally] is the co-founder and head distiller at Karu Distillery in New South Wales, Australia. A self-taught producer with over 120 global awards to her name, Ally blends creativity, sustainability, and community impact. From crafting trophy-winning spirits to launching gin collaborations that fund cheetah conservation, she’s reshaping what small-scale distilling can achieve, while championing Australian spirits on the world stage through judging, education, and innovation.

Joe Barber [@joebarber13] is an entrepreneur and spirits innovator bridging logistics and distillation. From judging global competitions to acquiring and scaling UK distilleries like Stargazey Spirits and Portsmouth Distillery, Joe is building a platform that empowers small producers with affordable contract services. With a growing spirits portfolio, renewed regional brands, and a passion for community-focused growth, he’s redefining how emerging spirits brands can thrive sustainably.

Kaya Guzinska [LinkedIn: Kaya Guzinska] is a whisky blender and sensory analyst with a Master’s in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt. Now part of Edrington’s whisky-making team, she’s deeply involved in vatting plans, sensory panel leadership, and product innovation. With a sharp analytical mind and a dream to become the first Polish Master Blender, Kaya brings scientific rigour and expressive creativity to every dram she helps shape.

Siobhan Feeley [@siobhancfeeley] is a multi-award-winning distiller whose deep love for gin and dedication to the craft spans over a decade. Currently distilling at 58 and Co, she leads copper distillation operations and R&D, with a standout launch in 2024: a vermouth made from waste wine named one of the most innovative products of the year. A regular judge at global awards and a vocal advocate for sustainability, Siobhan leads with passion and precision.