Tom Surgey

Tom Surgey is an energetic, confident wine expert, presenter and natural communicator with a sense of humour and an abundance of charisma.

He 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.
 
Tom’s body of work is extensive: he is one of the Three Wine Men, lead presenter for the Pingza wine app, cofounder of Battle Of The Bottles, a BBC Sussex wine expert and an in-demand host on the corporate speaking circuit.
 
Alongside his media work, Tom Surgey is also the cofounder of trade drinks agency Glass Half Full, and cofounder of the not-for-profit Table Talk Sussex as well as a wine consultant to a small number of restaurants.

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.

He 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 has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and is a bright, vocal champion of the industry. With his partner in wine Henry Butler, he 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 Surgey 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.

Tom Surgey regularly hosts wine tastings and events for corporate and private clients. His natural communication style and ability to put people swiftly at ease makes for warm, fun, sociable entertainment.

Whether it’s live and in-person or virtual, Tom is a dynamic speaker and will tailor his presentation to fit a wide range of formats. From hosting a full wine tasting around a specific theme or adding a wine tasting element to an already planned event, Tom is a reliable, upbeat entertainer.

During lockdown, Tom has received fantastic feedback from clients and regular repeat bookings for his online corporate wine tastings. They have been particularly successful in supporting businesses wanting to provide entertainment for corporate hospitality events, team building days and social or morale building activities for their staff.

Understanding the world of wine can be a daunting task, so why not let Tom Surgey become your personal wine advisor and help guide you and your friends through ten wines, each giving a different insight into the world of wine in an enjoyable and relaxed setting?

Tom will ensure you end the evening feeling confident about your understanding of the world of wine. This could be matched up with Social Pantry chefs who would provide a delicious selection of canapés or a tasting course dinner that matches the wines perfectly for an extra special evening. Wines can be tailored to any budget.