Background
Juliet Cullinan was born on the 18th May 1960 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She spent all her young adult life here, schooled first at DSG in Pretoria and then Roedean in Johannesburg.
Having completed the KWV and the Cape Wine Academy wine exams in Johannesburg, The British Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, Higher Certificate in London, L'Institut International Des Vins et Spiritueux "Connaissance des Vins de Bordeaux", in Bordeaux, France, as well as a British Cordon Bleu in London, her knowledge of the food and wine industry is almost unsurpassable. Informed, discerning and independent, Juliet has tirelessly supported the excellent, and shamelessly criticised the mediocre.
In the early part of her career, she joined KWV in South Africa in 1982. After six months, Juliet was transferred to the South African Wine Association in London where she was responsible for promoting South African wines. She returned after two years to work in the KWV office in Johannesburg, where she established their courses on European Wines.
Her passion for food, wine and travel took her back to England where she completed the Cordon Bleu course. Thereafter she worked for J. M. da Fonseca in Portugal for nine months in the public relations department.
She then returned to South Africa as marketing manager of Rhebokskloof Winery in the Cape, but was based in Johannesburg to concentrate on the Johannesburg market and media.
In 1989, Juliet Cullinan Wines, a company offering wine advice to companies was born. She set up and ran the Juliet Cullinan Cookery School for six years, where leading chefs were invited to host food demonstrations to an A income market in Johannesburg. She also offered easy-cooking classes for men and for domestic employees.
She was introduced to the Champagne Guild - Ordre de Coteaux de Champagne in France by John & Susie Boeckmann and sponsored by Laurent Perrier in 2007. This was in recognition of her work in the wine industry.
The Juliet Cullinan Standard Bank Wine Festival
This Festival which has been running for 17 years, is hosted nationally and has been sponsored by Standard Bank since 2000.
Exclusive boutique wineries with small parcels of terroir-reflective wines are invited to attend the Juliet Cullinan Standard Bank Wine Festival where a smaller location ensures intimacy, a chance to network, make friends and mingle with buyers. The festival is held in Johannesburg, Durban and in Cape Town. The media sponsor is Business Report with coverage in The Star, The Cape Times and The Mercury.
Makro host a "Sip & Shop" service at all the wine events to allow wine lovers to purchase wines on offer at a discounted rate on the night.
The Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur's Awards
Established in 2000, the Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur's Awards evaluates and highlights the leaders of each Cape vintage. The 2008 Awards were run in association with The Collection by Liz McGrath, which includes the three five star Relais & Chateaux hotels: The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia, The Marine in Hermanus and The Plettenberg in Plettenberg Bay. The Collection by Liz McGrath brings with it a wealth of experience, the highest of standards and wisdom in a team of international chefs and sommeliers.
Here the wines are tasted blind and judged by a tasting panel of three Cape Wine Masters, a Sommelier, wine trade and 8 winemakers with Juliet being the convenor. The judging is monitored by KPMG, while Standard Bank and Chefs & Sommelier Open Up Glasses will each sponsor a wine category.
The Juliet Cullinan Wine Award Public Tastings will be hosted at the Collection by Liz McGrath hotels in Constantia, Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. Tastings will also be held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, East London and Monte-Carlo.
During the years 2000 - 2007, Juliet Cullinan donated an international air ticket to the wine destination of the winner's choice for the top scoring wine. This prize gave the winning winemaker the opportunity to travel to an international wine region, establish contact with a new wine fraternity and glean new, invaluable tips in vineyard and cellar techniques. Winners were able to keep abreast of international trends and build up a foreign network
Food & Wine Pairing Evenings
The aim is to match food prepared by South Africa's leading chefs or caterers with some of the finest wines made in the Cape. These evenings have expanded to include, music, art, flowers, decor and entertainment.
