\ MIKE RATCLIFFE

Chairman

Mike Ratcliffe founded Wine Business Advisors in 2016 and has since successfully applied his broad experience to advising more than 50 clients around the world. Mike was Managing Director of 1.4 million bottle Warwick Estate for about two decades before exiting to Californian-based Silicon Valley venture capital firm Eileses. Mike co-founded the US & South African joint venture Vilafonté which was recently named the 2021 IWSC ‘Outstanding producer of the Year’. Mike was nominated for the Wine Enthusiast ‘Wine Star’ Award for Global Innovator of the Year in 2015 & then again in 2017. 

\ ROLAND PEENS

Chief Executive Officer

While studying economics at the University of Stellenbosch, Roland found a keenness for wine and has been immersed in the industry since. Having directed Wine Cellar for 15 years, he launched South Africa’s first wine investment product and co-founded the Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions. International business, study and travel have added to deep insight into the world of wine. In 2021, Roland joined forces with Mike Ratcliffe as the CEO of Wine Business Advisors in late 2021.

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