 ‘I am the senior winemaker at Moss Brothers Wines in Margaret River since 2005 and also provide consulting in winemaking, viticulture, wine business management, benchmarking, wine list development and education and training,’ informs Navneet Singh who holds oenology and viticulture degree from the well-known University of Adelaide, and a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of South Australia.
With three years working experience in different regions of France including Alsace, Bordeaux, Champagne (where he worked with Pommery) and Burgundy where he gained experience in Domaine de L’Arlot and Domain Dujac, he can boast of knowing the best of both worlds in terms of viticulture and winemaking.
The first Indian MW?
Singh is currently undertaking the London based Masters of Wine program. ‘I am fortunate that six of us are preparing for the exams from our region. We get together regularly and taste wines together which is important opportunity to help clear the exams,’ clarifying that with his work experience and education background he is exempted from the WSET diploma requirement. He plans to try and take the plunge in July next year.
 He knows that he is clearly ahead of others in the implicit race to be the first Indian MW. In fact, his Australian wife, Louise Radman who is also a sommelier, an award winning wine writer and also a candidate for the MW examination is very keen that he focuses on clearing it in the first attempt-the historical importance is not lost on her.
Somewhere Beyond the Seas
Being at the right place at the right time may be applicable only partially to the alumnus of St. Columba’s School in Delhi, who at the young age of 18 decided to go to Australia without the specific objective of trying to become an MW. He started his career in hotel management and was with Hyatt. A scholarship from Penfolds saw him become a sommelier at the Park Hyatt in Sydney.
Though he is a citizen of Australia but the current Indian laws let him hold Indian citizenship too.
Taste of India
Having his roots in India naturally beckon him and he is keen to use his experience in viticulture and sustainability in winemaking and extend it to India in which project he would of course be assisted by Louisa who also shares his experience at the Park Hyatt as well as the French Domaines.
 ‘With my comprehensive knowledge of many different winemaking styles and techniques with extensive experience throughout Europe and Australia give me a rounded experience which I can use for the Indian entrepreneurs,’ he says with infectious confidence while adding, ‘.our focus is on showcasing the unique regionality of the local wine landscape while providing a path to future sustainability and growth.
Awards Galore
He has won many accolades for his wines, winning seven trophies and over a
hundred wine show medals in Australia, he says. He is most thrilled about the news that he received after arriving India. ‘I have been selected as a part of 12 people out of 120 odd hopefuls as the Future of Australia by the Wine Federation of Australia. This entails a grant of A$20,000 to help us study more about new technology, newer exports procedures etc,’ he says.
 Like many people with the Hyatt experience, Nav treasured the four years he worked as a Sommelier for Hyatt Regency Adelaide as a landmark in his career. ‘It was here that
I gained my grounding in the great wines of the world and was three times
awarded South Australia’s best wine list in Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards,’ he says proudly..
There is no doubt that if he stops spreading his resources thin, and concentrate on becoming the first MW, rich rewards await this young winemaker with Australian training but Indian body and mind. Surely, this may perhaps the first time India has heard of him but this is just the beginning and delWine wishes him all the best.
Subhash Arora
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