Wine Guides
To ensure you get the best out of the region you are visiting on an Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tour, we make sure that most tours are accompanied by an expert Wine Guide. All our guides are accessible and can make light of talking in depth, making even the most complex wine issues interesting, easy to understand and fun! Many of our guides are Masters of Wine (MW), the highest qualification in the wine trade, or are renowned experts in their field.
Andrew Jefford
Andrew Jefford is one of the UK's most respected wine writers. He is also the author of the multiple award winning book, 'The New France' and regular columnist in Decanter, the FT, Waitrose Magazine, Fine Wine and other quality publications. |
Charles Metcalfe
Charles Metcalfe is best known as a wine broadcaster but he is also famous for his singing abilities, having been an Opera singer early in his career. Charles is Associate Editor of Wine Magazine and a director of the Wine Challenge. |
Derek Smedley MW
Derek Smedley MW, is one of the most experienced members of the wine trade as a consultant to merchants and producers and as a director of the Wine Challenge. Derek is a popular Wine Guide and takes tours right across the programme. |
Jane Hunt MW
Jane Hunt MW, well known wine expert and Master of Wine, recently qualified as a horticulturist! She is one of our most popular Wine Guides. Jane organises the UK wine trade tastings for Chilean, Argentine and Italian wine industries and ran the South African Wine bureau. |
Lynette Arblaster
Lynette Arblaster has been in Tour Operating since 1982 and grew up in a small hotel - so hospitality is in her veins! Lynette is the Managing Director of Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours. |
Stephen Brook
Stephen Brook is a leading expert on Bordeaux and other wine regions of France and is a distinguished wine writer. He also writes about many other subjects such as travel, which he writes about from a guide book perspective and from more personal accounts. Stephen is also an award-winning journalist and has been a guest judge at many wine competitions. |
Steven Spurrier
Steven Spurrier is founder of both the Academie du Vin and the Christie's Wine Course and he is consultant editor for Decanter. Steven has one of the most respected palates in the trade and his contacts can open the most prestigious doors. He regularly takes our top tours. |
Tim Clarke
Tim Clarke designs the tours and brochure, as well as having a great love for travelling. Tim takes many tours and was described in “Wine” magazine as “a Jeremy Clarkson of Wine Guides”. Tim's style is to go for a broad brush rather than detail (unless you get him going on 'terroir') with insight, humour, history and anecdotes. |
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams has been leading tours for Arblaster & Clarke for the past 17 years. A prolific wine writer, he works for publications in the UK and abroad, and is the author of a number of wine books. His style is laid back but incredibly informative. Andrew also writes on rugby and music. |
Arabella Woodrow MW
Arabella Woodrow is a Master of Wine with over 20 years experience in the wine trade. As an MW, she can of course turn herself to probably any wine region in the world, and will be joining us on several tours this year. |
