A Class Act: Jane Skilton's wine education

Ever since, the vibrant Master of Wine has fostered the next generation of wine lovers, among other things. "Jane is a brilliant teacher, deploying knowledge, humour and an absolute love for her subject to great effect," says Emma Jenkins MW. "Her deep understanding of wine, personal charm, and ability to distil even the most complex elements of wine into digestible chunks is a winning combination for students of all levels – I know I continue to learn a lot from her.”

New Zealand has Jane’s mum to thank for her move into the wine industry. “I was 19 and taking a break from the ‘UK education system’ when my mum turned off the Hoover and firmly told me ‘you have to get a job now’,” says Jane. “I spotted a job at a local wine retailer and there mastered the art of polishing glassware.” She’s never looked back.

One could argue that London wine merchant La Vigneronne, with its owners Liz and Mike Berry (and cat, Muscat), was the making of Jane. Here she was exposed to an impressive range of wine and encouraged to excel in the industry by genuine wine lovers. “It was a small shop in South Kensington but an absolute treasure trove,” says Jane. “Liz and her husband offered formal tastings two nights a week and, after I washed up the glassware in the staff bathroom, I was invited to taste through the open collection of wines, including class growths and small parcel wines well out of my price bracket.”

As an MW, Liz encouraged Jane to enrol in the Wine & Spririt Education Trust (WSET). “Liz was generous with her knowledge and taught me that if you train and respect people, they can do anything,” says Jane. “I spent all day carrying cases of wine and all evening reading about wine. And I found it very interesting.” The shop was frequented by role models including Pamela Vandyke Price, Serena Sutcliffe and Rosemary George, and Jane recalls thinking “well, they are women who’ve got on and are respected”. Her own thirst to secure a place in the wine world led Jane to the WSET higher certificate followed by the diploma.

After leaving La Vigneronne, Jane worked for a retailer group setting up shops to rival the likes of Oddbins. “I loved that they weren’t a one size fits all,” says Jane. “It was the antithesis of a formal wine merchant. I liked how it made wine approachable again.”

Next stop was working with renowned distributor Jasper Morris MW, learning about domaines, selling on premise, and discovering a truly niche area of the wine industry. It was during this time (in 1993) that Jane received her MW accreditation –earned rather smartly in four years –which fuelled her enthusiasm for wine ina seemingly male dominated industry. “Igot the letter I’d passed on the Friday andmarried Jonathan (Rose) the following Saturday. It was a good week.”

Jane shares the story of meeting her Kiwi husband with the personality she is renowned for. “Jonathan (JR) moved into my shared flat. He cooked and did his own washing so I decided I would pursue him madly,” she says. JR, who was working as a banker in London, charmed Jane by taking her to the classic Kiwi haunt Larry’s Baaaah. “Other people were wooed by trips to Venice. I got Kiwi treats at Larry’s,” says Jane. But a trans-Atlantic move, two children, and a 30-year anniversary on the horizon suggests that these two are a solid pairing. “I still like to moan to JR about New Zealand as it keeps him on his toes, but the truth is that I’ve had a brilliant time living here – working in a vibrant industry that is packed with great people, amazing wines, and vineyards in impossibly beautiful regions.”

It was a swift decision to move to New Zealand. “2000 was tough for bankers – the stress of what would happen when the clock ticked over – and both JR’s parents were needing our support.” They didn’t tell anyone about their decision; “just packed a container, picked up the kids from school, and came here,” says Jane. “I thought about the purchase of my last fridge more than the move.”

After settling their young family in Auckland, Jane considered her next endeavour. She’d long wanted to be a wine educator and felt that with 10 years as an MW and 15 years in the industry under her belt she was ready. But as a newcomer to New Zealand, she was careful in navigating the waters. “I remember phoning up Bob (Campbell MW) and saying ‘I’m new but I understand you teach. Can I help? I wash glasses’,” Jane says. “He responded ‘not really but I’d love to meet you, let’s go for lunch’.” A friendship and collaborative fellowship resulted.

Fast-forward 20 years and Jane's CV is impressive, having contributed to both national and international wine publications, sat on prestigious judging panels, and been a repeat keynote speaker at conferences and symposiums around the world. She likely surpassed her own expectations as an educator, tutoring WSET students across the globe including Hong Kong, China, Australia, Austria, France, Fiji, and the UK.

Arguably, Jane’s biggest contribution to New Zealand’s wine industry was the establishment of her mobile educator business, the New Zealand School of Wines and Spirits (NZSWS) in 2006. “I feel that I’ve championed WSET formal wine education,” says Jane.

Jane Skilton, MW

“There are a number of others doing it, but I think we are the leading provider for a reason.”

Jane and her team of qualified tutors travel extensively to deliver WSET courses across New Zealand, ensuring that anyone interested has an opportunity to attend.

“The course needs to be in person as there is importance in being in a room together, tasting the wine in the same environment, and discussing it.” She loves that classes are filled with the next generation of the wine industry. They’ve chosen to do this. It’s not generational. In Marlborough, as example, 50% of the people aren’t from New Zealand and I love the exchange of information. I walk into the class thinking I know stuff, I’m the teacher, but it’d be stupid not to talk to the class and ask questions. It’s interactive and I enjoy always learning. I also love giving information to people and then watching them make their own decision.”

Jane is grateful to have the opportunity to give back. “It’s full circle,” she says. “But I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it.” During the past 16 years, NZSWS has taught winemakers, viticulturists, cellar door staff, marketers, restaurant owners, bar staff, sommeliers, winery owners and consumers. “I really love that we have groups of wine professionals tackling the Diploma,” says Jane. “It’s a huge commitment.”

She has focused her attention on NZSWS in recent years, but has also made time for a few other ‘assignments’, including as New Zealand Editor of Gourmet Wine Traveller from mid-2021. Jane has contributed to the magazine for several years and is enjoying putting an editor’s stamp on the publication. “We’ve introduced a monthly New Zealand update column and added a young winemaker and young viticulturist component to our industry awards programme,” says Jane. “It revitalises the competition a bit, shining a spotlight on the ‘ones to watch’.”

As part of the recent Zoom phenomenon, Jane has also kept busy hosting webinars. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to promote New Zealand wine through online channels, working with organisations such as Sydney Wine Academy, Cape Wine Guild, New Zealand Winegrowers, and WSET Global,” says Jane. And if that wasn’t enough, Jane was tasked with writing the content to accompany Jancis Robinson’s BBC Maestro course.

Jane is deservedly a household name within the New Zealand wine industry, and it continues to inspire her. “Directness and honesty, their ability to get up and do something new - these are qualities you find in many of those working in the New Zealand wine industry,” she says. And 22 years in, she is almost perfectly happy with her adopted country. “I can only give New Zealand a 9/10. But if prawn cocktail flavoured crisps were on sale here it’d be a 10/10.”