Tom Surgey
• Wine expert
• Food festival host
• Three Wine Men
• Battle of the Bottles
OVERVIEW
Tom Surgey is a popular and respected wine expert and TV presenter, well-known for both his media and live events work. He has become regarded as one of the country’s most engaging live drinks performers, thanks to his bright, playful charisma and warm sense of humour.
Although Tom is a wine specialist, he has a wealth of experience across all drinks categories. This includes premium non-alcs, beer, cocktails, cider and spirits, and he also has a deep understanding of the food and the hospitality trade itself.
While Tom has extensive wine knowledge and training, as well as the ability to taste to a very high degree, Tom is not a ‘critic’ by style – nor a master sommelier. Instead, he is known as a lover of great drinks and an ambassador for the industry, promoting the benefits of fantastic food and drink.
LIVE EVENTS WORK
Tom has a jam-packed corporate event and public speaking calendar, thanks to his passionate, high-energy hosting style and extensive knowledge of wine. Tom is able to engage with a wide variety of audiences, delighting and entertaining consumers, corporate clients and professional peers alike.
Tom works closely and regularly with many of the most established names in the wine industry. He has a strong network within the wine trade, comprising TV wine experts and wine professionals alike. He continues to undertake highly considered drinks trade consultancy roles with premium brands and restaurants.
Examples of Tom’s live work include:
- Three Wine Men – Tom is an official member of the revolving trio alongside Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin, Olly Smith and Susy Atkins.
- BBC Good Food Show – Tom hosts the main drinks stage, as well as hosting masterclasses with chefs and experts. These range from sourdough making and macaron creation to children’s classes.
- Battle Of The Bottles – Tom is co-founder of these anarchic live events, with venues including The Ivy Club and Skylon.
- Other corporate events – Tom regularly hosts live corporate wine tasting events and online masterclasses. These are hugely successful and Tom is often asked back to host regular events for corporate clients.
MEDIA WORK
Tom is a rising TV star in the wine world, and has brought his dynamic presenting style to television, online TV, radio and podcasts, as well as a wine app. His media and television appearances have included:
- ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, presenting different wines and other beverages
- ITV’s This Morning, pairing wines alongside food from Jose Pizarro, Aldo Zilli and Jean-Christophe Novelli
- Talk Radio
- BBC Sussex & Surrey
- The podcasts On the Bar and Butlers Wine Show
- 67 Pall Mall TV – Tom was a regular host on the wine specialist channel’s most-watched The Daily Pour magazine show.
WRITING WORK
An experienced wine writer, Tom has written articles and newsletters for Three Wine Men, Falstaff and SL Man. He has covered a variety of topics, from international wine and different types of hops to finding the right wine for a Christmas dinner.
Tom’s book, How to Drink Wine, will be a useful, easy-to-digest wine book that includes everything required to appreciate both fine wine and everyday bottles. Moving away from the opaque language of master sommeliers, How to Drink Wine is designed to help all people feel comfortable in understanding and choosing wine.
CHARITY WORK & AWARDS
Alongside his work, Tom is the co-founder of the not-for-profit and charitable foundation Table Talk Sussex, which puts chefs in primary schools to teach food education. He was also a founding steering committee member for The Drinks Trust’s ‘The Drinks Community’.
Tom has been shortlisted for the IWSC Wine Communicator 2024 prize. In 2019, he was shortlisted for the IWSC Outstanding Achievement In Wine Award.
BACKGROUND
Prior to his media work, Tom grew up in the hospitality trade and enjoyed roles in the culinary team of restaurants such as the original Ivy. He was the Business Development Director for Ridgeview, a pioneering English vineyard and winery, for over six years. Tom holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits, where he deepened his knowledge of drinks and wine theory.
Social network and links
Tom’s WEBSITE
CONTACT US ABOUT Tom
- +44 20 8846 0966
