MEET THE TEAM
ABLE TO
TRANSFORM YOUR RETAIL PRESENCE70 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE
AS LIQUOR PROFESSIONALS
In 2015, we identified an opportunity to use our extensive industry experience to support wine brands featured in leading National Liquor Retail chains by providing specialised store visitation, and supporting the work being done at Head Office level.
Young Vine began with a clear vision – to enhance brand recognition and increase product knowledge amongst store staff, to elevate these brands and ensure they stand out on the shelf.
Beginning in South Australia and Victoria, the store servicing program has since expanded to now also encompass Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia. Each state benefits from a dedicated liquor professional conducting monthly store visits for a range of exceptional wine, beer, spirits and RTD brands.
Over the last decade, the Young Vine team has nurtured robust connections within stores and Head Office, giving us a unique position to drive brand awareness and maximise your in-store sales and marketing tactics.
OUR TEAM
ALAN THOMPSON
ALAN THOMPSONDirector
For more than 25 years, Alan has enjoyed a successful career in the liquor industry, having held key senior roles in sales, marketing and management at Penfolds, Cockatoo Ridge, Casama, the Rathbone Wine Group and the Edgemill Group. He has gained extensive experience managing National Accounts, and a detailed understanding of the domestic distribution landscape having headed up Four Seasons Fine Wines. Alan loves cycling and is a long suffering Dee’s supporter, but don’t hold that against him.
Leading with Integtrity
After his career began back in the early 90’s as a sales rep for Southcorp in Melbourne, Alan has since crafted a long and distinguished career. He’s earnt numerous industry accolades along the way, and has become well-known and respected for his dedication and integrity.
Sales Specialist
Alan has extensive experience in all facets of domestic sales. He has led the Four Seasons Fine Wines distribution business, managed national sales and marketing at Cockatoo Ridge (including a controversial advertising campaign with Erin McNaught), held National Account positions at Casama, Winesource, and the Rathbone Wine Group, and spearheaded sales with the independents at Edgemill group. There isn’t much Alan hasn’t done.
Global Perspective
Alan’s expertise spans across domestic and export markets, where he’s cultivated close relationships to manage the sale of bulk and packaged wine to Asia, Canada and the US.
National Account Management
Throughout Alan’s career, he has forged enduring connections in key national accounts including CMLG, Woolworths, A.L.M and ILG.
+61 (0) 423 026 692 | alan@youngvine.com.au | Connect via LinkedIn
REBECCA THOMPSON
REBECCA THOMPSONDirector
After growing up amongst her family’s vines in the Barossa Valley, it was instinctive for Bec to carve out her own niche in the industry. She’s now had over 20 years of experience and success in the liquor industry, making her mark in sales, marketing and large-scale events with Murray Street Vineyards, Peter Lehman Wines, the Rathbone Wine Group and the Edgemill Group. She is a firm believer that if duct tape or WD 40 can’t fix it, a glass of bubbles always does the trick.
Passion and Experience
Growing up amongst the vineyards in the Barossa Valley, Rebecca’s passion for the wine industry was inevitable. In 2009 she was selected as the Young Ambassador for the Barossa 2009-2011 from a field of 12 nominees. In 2010, Rebecca was also awarded the Cellar Door Services award.
Marketing Specialist
Through her roles at Peter Lehmann Wines, Four Seasons Fine Wines and the Edgemill group, Rebecca has gained a depth of experience in marketing and distribution strategies for both the wine and spirit industries.
Brand Manager
Having been Brand Manager for over 40 domestic and international brands, Rebecca has gained a unique understanding and become a specialist of sales and trade marketing.
International Perspective
In addition to a double degree in Marketing and International Studies, Rebecca has vast experience in global distribution and logistics, and overseas brand representation.
+61 (0) 466 180 262 | rebecca@youngvine.com.au | Connect via LinkedIn
+61 (0) 413 770 651 steve@youngvine.com.au
Steve Magennis | Territory Manager ACT & NSW
With over 25 years in the liquor industry, Steve is a seasoned professional. He brings a wealth of experience from his time at Swift and Moore, Moet Hennessy, Wine Source, Palandrie, Cockatoo Ridge and Cheviot Bridge. Along the way, he’s encountered many famous personalities and true characters of the industry, and has relished in the unique stories that each one has had to tell.
Steve looks after the Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores for Young Vine in ACT & NSW. Known for his friendly and relaxed demeanour, Steve’s eyes shine as he guides staff through the thrill of discovering new wines.
If you can’t find Steve, he’ll be on his boat with a fishing rod in one hand and an aged Riesling in the other. While he’s already experienced so much along his career journey, his ultimate wine destinations are the picturesque Champagne, Tuscan and Spanish regions when he hangs up his boots and enjoys his retirement years.
+61 (0) 422 443 508
tirzah@youngvine.com.au
Tirzah Cruse | Area Representative QLD
After her career began on Stradbroke Island, making Piña Coladas with an incredible ocean view, Tirzah now brings almost 25 years of rich hospitality experience to the Young Vine team. In her most recent role as Wine Merchant for Dan Murphy’s in Woolloongabba, Tirzah shared her extensive knowledge and passion for liquor, not only with the in-store team but also with the broader Dan Murphy’s community through her published contributions in Dan Murphy’s Wine Magazine.
Tirzah takes care of stores across QLD, loves to make people laugh and deeply values the connections she makes. For her, the ultimate is that snap moment when you taste and smell all the different characters in a wine, and it all makes sense.
When she’s not teasing the team with pictures of perfect, warm weather and blue skies, you’ll find Tirzah in the kitchen whipping up delicious dishes for family and friends, doing some beach camping or on the hunt for her next favourite Chardonnay.
+61 (0) 402 214 987
storm@youngvine.com.au
Storm Menikides | Area Representative WA
Storm came to Young Vine after an already extensive and impressive career in the industry, highlighted by winning Carlton United Brewery’s BDE of The Year in 2015 and Runner Up in 2019. Before this, Storm honed her skills with top distributors in WA like Four Season Fine Wines and MGM Wine Distributors, where her passion for the wine industry was first ignited.
Storm is dedicated to serving Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores in WA, and she’s renowned for going the extra mile. She’s a true people person, and getting the opportunity to taste, talk and learn about wines with other enthusiasts is what lights her up.
Storm’s wine journey is full of memorable moments, like sharing a bottle of Peter Lehmann 2008 VSV Shiraz with friends around a fire – in the snowy wonderland of Finland! When she’s not busy helping run her family’s charity group – the Barbarians – you might find her at the beach or camping with her hubby and two young daughters. She also loves unearthing new winery gems or socialising with friends over a glass of vino (or two!).
+61 (0) 423 501 665
erin@youngvine.com.au
Erin Dunlop | Brand Manager Vic
Thanks to over 10 years of hands-on experience managing Vintage Cellars and Liquorland stores in Melbourne, Erin brings a unique and comprehensive understanding of all liquor categories, enhanced by her qualifications from the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London.
Erin’s extensive wine and liquor expertise coupled with her knack for running a successful liquor store (and understanding the challenges staff face), makes her invaluable to us and has seen her forge strong connections in-store. Her favourite part of conducting tastings and trainings across Victoria is seeing the lightbulb moment when someone truly appreciates what makes that bottle so special.
Outside of work, Erin is a culinary wizard who loves to kick back with a refreshing citrus gin or glass of bubbles, sharing these moments with her husband, friends and her adorable fluffy dog, Mojo. Among her prized wine collection is a 2012 Magnum of St Hugo Cabernet, patiently waiting to be shared over good food with great company.