Tom Surgey

Tom Surgey is a young, confident, and energetic wine expert and presenter. He is a natural communicator with a sense of humour and plenty of charisma. Tom presents at wine masterclasses and pairing events across the country, is a director at a luxury English Sparkling Wine business and is part of Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkin’s Three Wine Men tour. We are sure that Tom’s experience, qualifications and enthusiasm to make wine more accessible to a wider audience will lead to an accomplished television and media career.

Tom was just 14 when his career in hospitality kicked off, peeling carrots and potatoes in a local Sussex pub, in his free time. Whilst doing bar work he developed a passion for, and strong knowledge of, beers and spirits, becoming fascinated by 'pub culture' and the sociable, supportive community it can build.

After college Tom started working at The Club at The Ivy, where his passion for wine burgeoned. He took his WSET qualifications and now holds their highest-level, the Diploma. In 2014, hooked on wine and with a growing reputation as an expert, Tom left the restaurant side of the industry to follow his passion for wine full-time. Tom went on to join Ridgeview, renowned pioneers of quality English wine-making, based in Sussex. Over his six years with the business, Tom became Ridgeview’s Sales & Business Development Director and had a significant and positive impact on the family business at a time of growth. Tom is now a freelance wine communicator and consultant to a broad range of premium-quality wine businesses.

Tom joined the original line-up of Three Wine Men - Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkin - at the UK’s leading wine events. Having hosted masterclasses at the events for a number of years, in 2018, Tom was invited to join the official line-up and is now a well-established, popular and dynamic member.

Tom recently made his TV debut appearing as a wine expert for ITV’s This Morning, and is also a regular wine expert on BBC Sussex & Surrey Radio with a monthly slot. Tom is the lead presenter for the brand-new wine app Pingza, which was launched to the public in December 2019. Tom records entertaining and educational film content for the app, giving users unique insight into wine including food and wine pairing, grape varieties, wine regions and entertaining guests at live tastings and events.

With his partner in wine Henry Butler, Tom is one half of the duo producing the anarchic and entertaining live event, Battle Of The Bottles, which has a rapidly growing cult following. Events regularly take place in London and Brighton.

In 2019, British Airways launched their food and drink experience events, with chefs including Tom Kerridge, Ollie Dabbous and José Pizarro. Tom is the expert chosen to lead the wine events, which he hosts at the beautiful Pitzhanger Manor in London.

Tom was chosen by the International Wine and Spirit competition as the first nomination for Outstanding Achievement in the Wine Industry 2019, an award that is designed to find the next big star in the Wine Industry.

Outside of wine Tom loves stand-up comedy, cooking, spending quality time with his wife and daughter and tries to do some running occasionally. Tom is also a massive punk rock fan; he continues to work on the relationship between wine and punk rock!