Luke O'Cuinneagain, Winemaker, Glenelly Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

"Madeleine has an excellent understanding of where a brand wants to be positioned, the type of wine quality and style that it needs to be known for, and how it is related to different markets, and the positioning within a market. It is very interesting to spend time with her reviewing blends, analysing them before taking them apart to then find the best way forward. It has been very stimulating, and it has certainly given me, and the whole Glenelly team, a lot of energy from working together with her. She became a seamless fit into the team, a real team player and integral to how we performed, generating the ideas which ultimately led to us to looking upon a wine in different way, with a goal of how we approached the harvest going forward."

Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Owner, Casato Prime Donne, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

"In 2020 Madeleine became part of the panel as one of our four Brunello Prime Donne tasters. She offers a different point of view because, in addition to being an extraordinary taster, she has a more international vision. Over the years, this wine has achieved constant and growing appreciation from the most influential wine critics and is considered a flagship for female winemaking and female wine lovers."

José Pepe Morales, Chief Winemaker, Huentala Wines, Mendoza, Argentina

”It's a pleasure to have the opportunity to learn more about the incredible wine industry from such an inspiring professional. She has one of the best palates in the world.”

Viviana Navarrete, Winemaker, Viña Leyda, VSPT Wine Group, Chile

”Madeleine is so incredibly talented, her work is fantastic and so detailed, and she is such a beautiful person to work together with. She inspires each one of us in reaching perfection while always searching for the wine's identity, whether expressing site, as a pure terroir wine, or in the great value category. I admire her, a role model to follow."

Anne Bousquet, Co-Owner, Domaine Bousquet, Mendoza, Argentina

”I enjoy a lot working with Madeleine. She is such a passionate and hard working person and an admirable professional. Her visits to our estate are more than just consultations – they are collaborative journeys that strengthen Domaine Bousquet’s mission to produce high-quality organic wines which express great purity and authenticity."  

Tim Atkin MW,  Journalist, Co-Chair of International Wine Challenge (IWC) 

”Madeleine is a pleasure to judge with. She is a knowledgeable, perceptive and experienced taster. She’s also a lot of fun to be around: a real team player who enjoys discussing the wines with other tasters.”

David Nieuwoudt, Owner/Winemaker, Cederberg Wines, Cederberg & Ghost Corner, Elim, South Africa

"Madeleine is not a typical wine consultant. She really understands a wine brand and the wine business, while possessing an unreal international wine knowledge and with a talent to interpret the needs and the palates of the modern wine consumer. She adds great value to a brand, not only through contributing to the quality and overall personality of a wine, but also with uplifting the image of the wine company internationally. The most beautiful part of engaging her in your wine business is that she is very much a people’s person with an international long-term vision and a team-oriented approach who works very closely with both the viticulture, winemaking, and marketing teams to optimise the success of the brand." 

Brian Walsh, Chairman of Judges, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Australia

”A confident and precise taster who articulates her views with openness, clarity and good humour. She’s also an accomplished communicator, educator and ambassador for all that is best  about the world wine industry. Madeleine was our guest International Judge at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show (first held in 1845), in my final year as Chairman of Judges. Her contribution was immense and her  impact both immediate and sustained, leading to an invitation to return in the following year."

Elisabeth Engelsen-Ellqvist, Managing Director, Provinum, Sweden 

”Madeleine has a never ending energy until mission accomplished. A true gem - one of a kind!”

Denise Johnson, Managing Director, Zevenwacht Wines Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

”It is a huge pleasure to have Madeleine as part of our team, contributing with her global and blending experience. Her valuable insights and advice contributes to a positive effect on refining style and quality and unlocking the best we can be. Thank you for the goosebumps moments!”

Carlotta Gori, Director, Chianti Classico Consorzio, Italy 

”I would like to give a special thank you to Madeleine Stenwreth MW for being so helpful in communicating the unique features of Chianti Classico on the Swedish market”

Labid Al Ameri, Co-Owner, Domaine Bousquet, Mendoza, Argentina 

”Madeleine has one of the best palates I have ever experienced. She has the ability to describe wine like no other, and she possesses incredible energy and passion for wine!"

Nicolas Bureau, Managing Director, Glenelly Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

”Blending sessions with Madeleine are always fascinating as she comes with such an understanding of what each element brings to the blend, and it has certainly helped us at Glenelly to give the wine even more poise and focus. It has been fascinating to taste through our wines with her, at all the different stages, from tank samples, barrel samples, blending sessions and bottled wines. She has shared with us her great knowledge, both of what can be produced in South Africa in terms of style, but also on how it compares to great examples from other wine regions in the world. Madeleine totally understands what we are aiming for at Glenelly, with our family history steeped in Bordeaux tradition, and getting her stamp of approval on the coherence of the style and quality we are producing is greatly valued."

Andrew Harris, Marketing Director, Bellingham (DGB), South Africa

”Madeleine has not only been able to offer us incredible expert insight into global wine trends and styles but is also able to back that up with practical ‘on the ground’ advice on how to bring that to life in each and every wine. She has been an excellent complement to the outstanding abilities of our winemaking team."

Jonas Hillergren, Managing Director, Treasure Wine Estates, Nordics

”Madeleine’s valuable input is not just a short term fix, and she has left a lasting impression on our organisation, raising our skill set level in the long term as well. The way in which Madeleine approaches blending and product development has been a refreshing and welcome change to the way our organisation has given this focus previously. She has been able to add her insight and experience not only to our global winemaking team, but also to our local commercial team in a constructive and professional manner, helping the teams to become better at what they do on a daily basis."

Ilaria Ippoliti, Export Manager, Marchesi Antinori, Tuscany, Italy

“Madeleine is one of the most competent and charming professionals in the wine world with her deep wine knowledge, empathy, leadership abilities and influence."

Alberto Antonini, Internationa Winemaking Consultant, Grower/Producer, Tuscany, Italy

 ”One of the finest palates I have ever worked with, with a great talent for creating blends which express a sense of place and at the same time can please the modern wine consumer".

Peter-Allan Finlayson, Head Winemaker, Crystallum, Walker Bay & Gabrielskloof, Botriver, South Africa

”Tasting with Madeleine is always an enriching and valuable experience. She provides a level of insight and direct analysis that very few people in the industry are able and willing to do. While sometimes challenging to hear, I value no one else’s opinion as highly as hers. Her wealth of experience in both buying and consulting roles across the globe allows her to provide feedback that is practical and usable in all facets of the winemaking chain.”

Rodrigo Serrano, Chief Winemaker, Domaine Bousquet, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

“Madeleine is an incredible support to our business and it's a priviledge to be working together with her. She brings a wealth of experience of the world of wine to our winemaking team, which further influences our decisions from harvest to bottling. We share the same philosphy on quality, style and identity in wine, and it is a pleasure to co-present our work in the markets. Madeleine has an enormous capacity to decode the how’s, the when's, and the why’s in the wines, and even at the end of very long days tasting and blending together, she pays attention to the finest of details until we finish with that magic blend; of which she gives the most beautiful description. For me, Madeleine is a genius.” 

Danie Steytler Jr, Owner/Winemaker,  Kaapzicht Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

”Madeleine's passion for South Africa, her extensive international knowledge and incredible palate are just a few of the reasons we at Kaapzicht have decided to bring her into the team. For us she is a sound platform to bounce ideas off blends, and polish and fine-tune wine styles. A fantastic partnership from our side. We are super stoked to have her helping us out.” 

Frans Smit, Managing Director, Spier, Stellenbosch, South Africa

"Madeleine really sets herself apart with her real detailed knowledge of terroir. She can work with winemakers to help them improve their detailed focus on every blend, every wine that goes to market. Her knowledge of the world market makes Madeleine a real expert when she must benchmark wines from around the world across all quality levels. She is a true wine fundi."

Sue Hodder, Winemaker, Wynns Coonawarra Estate & Chair of Judges, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Australia

"Madeleine is a highly regarded wine judge for many reasons. She brings not only international insights and experience to the  judging process, but also the personal attributes of inclusiveness, humour and sensibility. Madeleine diligent research and preparation ensures that her opinions are current and relevant to each tasting or event."

Erika Obermeyer, Erika Obermeyer Wines, Pre-Cellarmaster Graham Beck Wines, South Africa

"Madeleine has a fantastic understanding of what it takes to deliver that ‘magic’ blend. I have the greatest of respect for her incredible knowledge on wine and her work ethics. Not only is she guided by her passion and determination for creating the ultimate wine, but she understands that it is not only good quality wine, but productivity and cost effectiveness which are crucial for future successes in a very tough and competitive world market for wine. By working with her, you soon realize that she will always respect your opinion and will work with you to turn your aspirations and dreams into a success.”

Jane Lello, General Manager, Stellekaya Estate, Stellekaya, South Africa

”The depth of experience that Madeleine brings to the table is quite profound. With a very gentle approach, insightful, always prepared to give more, guide more, as well as teach. She has given me so much more than what I had anticipated, in her teaching, enlightening, informative information.”

Kobus Basson, Owner, Kleine Zalze Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

”There is always the danger of developing a 'cellar palate' and having Madeleine on board really helped us to keep an open mind and listen to recommendations that might help to be more market related, without sacrificing uniqueness and character. We specifically value her honest and direct, but respectful feedback and her ability to describe wines in her own unique and insightful way. She has no hidden agenda and is helping South Africa in its continued refinement of its offering into the premium sector."

Ebbe Fogh, Regional Business Manager Nordics, Henieken Beverages Wine Division, South Africa

”Thank you for a truly great masterclass. It is such a pleasure to hear you speak with passion about South African wine. It means a lot to our industry and to us at Heineken. Thanks for your support!”

Maxime Cavey, Export Director, Sacred Hill Vineyards, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

”Madeleine is an extremely hard-working, knowledgeable and professional woman - a great problem-solver who always has her customer’s needs and wishes at the forefront of her work. She is a lovely warm, personable individual and with this charm she has built up an impressive network of contacts around the world."

Ignacio Martinez, Sales Director, Domaine Bousquet, Mendoza, Argentina

”Madeleine is one of the most passionate wine professionals I have had the pleasure to meet in the industry. It’s so inspiring and educative to listen to her presentations, how she communicates the wines, their place, and their story. It makes you understand the wines and their energy even without tasting them.”

Ulf Spendrup, Chairman of the Board, Spring Wines, Sweden

"Madeleine has a strong integrity parallel with a kind and natural personality, suitable for cooperating with all parties on the way from producers to end consumers. Her combination of skills between the nature of the product and the commercial circumstances on the Swedish market, has helped us reach our stretched goals over time.”

Gabriel Bloise, Winemaker, Chakana Wines, Mendoza, Argentina 

"Madeleine has an amazingly precise palate and gives very rich and complete descriptive analyses on our wines, which helps us to better understand wine tasting, and winemaking. Her dedication, professionalism, perseverence, empathy, and sense of humour  makes it a real pleasure to work together." 

Daphne Neethling, Owner, Paardenkloof Estate, Botriver, South Africa

”Madeleine has skillfully, and with great talent and charm, assisted us to develop and perfect the style of wine which can express the true sense of place with purity and honesty.”

Ann Burgaz, former Purchasing Manager at Systembolaget, owner of The Wineagency, Sweden. 

“Madeleine has been an important contributor to quality in all her various projects and positions, both as a buyer for the Swedish retailing monopoly, and certainly in her present position as MW and professional consultant in the wine business.”