Simon is a ‘Wingman’, founder of the boutique advisory that manages remarkable people’s ‘Capstones’ (passion projects). He is the Chief Operating Officer of the London Technology Club, an exclusive network of 70+ private investors, VCs, family offices, and institutional partners such as UBS, Barclays, and LGT Vestra. The club’s own fund, The Pledge, of which Simon is an investor, allocates over $30m per year to scale-up/late-stage tech companies. As a leading practitioner of commercial and communications strategy within tech, sports, and entertainment, he has just short of 25 years of experience in fast-paced, dynamic business environments.

Simon was previously the Marketing Director of a Formula One team where he applied his challenger mindset to push industry boundaries in the industry for over 10 years. With the London Technology Club, Simon combines technology with members’ passions, publishing reports that look at the impact of tech has on the future of the likes of Art, F1, nutrition, longevity, space, and philanthropy.

Simon, an oenophile himself has written two wine reports in the past two years. Wine is never far from Simon- the London Technology Club office is based above 67 Pall Mall, he advises both winemakers and UHNW wine lovers on their wine passion projects, his father lives close to Bolgheri, Tuscany where he regularly visits and writes about wine Capstones for the likes of the Mayfair Times, Monaco Life and Club Oenologique…

Simon holds a degree in Psychology from Nottingham University and has studied at Harvard Business School. A keen sportsman, he has represented Team GB racing in the Sprint Duathlon World Championships where he finished 26th in his age group. He is soon to publish his first book ‘Capstones: The blueprint for remarkable passion projects that bring joy, meaning, and fulfilment to life’.

Founder and CEO of Trois Noix, Napa Valley.
As a 2^nd generation winemaker, Jaime initially spent 24 years in Europe before returning to Napa. Moving to Europe, she didn’t work in Wine directly. Only after a career as a London theatreland actress, and earning her MBA from INSEAD, did she return to the World of Wine. First, she taught the French how to sell their wines. Then upon returning to Napa, she continued carving her own path. She created Trois Noix a wine that she wants to use as a platform for change.

Founder and Chairman of Top Selection Wines and 9elmswines, London.
Akos’s life reads like a John Le Carré novel. Hungarian born under the Soviet occupation, raised in Algeria in the ’70s, and trained as a special force he witnessed the Fall of the Berlin Wall from inside. Then he left for Western Europe and started working in Wine and Spirits. After earning his MBA from INSEAD, he moved to London where he founded Top Selection Wines. Since 2018, Top Selection has been the recipient of the UK Fine Wine Merchant of the Year award given byUK sommeliers. A first.

Chief Wine Officer of Girl Meets Glass, Paris.
Born and raised in South Side Chicago, Tanisha was not predestined to the World of Wine. In fact, she started studying cyber forensic. Then serendipity struck twice. The first time was at a Wine Festival in Washington where she asked all the wrong questions possible (so she can relate if you are new to Wine) but was still fascinated by this beverage. The second time was to move to her dream city of Paris. Going to the “Old World” and fulfilling her Wine dream, she pursues her mission to teach and educate about wine.

Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine.
Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor for Travel + Leisure. He writes Food & Wine’s monthly “Bottle Service” column, and contributes regular print and online features about wine, spirits, and wine-related travel to both brands. His articles about wine, beer, food and spirits have appeared in a wide range of national publications, he has been nominated three times for a James Beard Award, and has twice won the IACP Award for Narrative Beverage Writing. He speaks regularly on wine at live events and is a frequent guest on national media, having appeared on programs such as Today, CNBC’s On the Money & Squawk Box, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and American Public Media’s “Splendid Table,” among others.

Founder of A Table For Two / Creator The Wine Hour
After a long and diverse career as an entrepreneur, former athlete, radio host, and 3-time CEO, Antoine decided to go back to what he enjoyed most: Food & Wine and Media. He created A Table For Two a multi-format content creation house. Using the thread of Food & Wine, he not only helps the audience discover and understand other cultures but also engages them in related issues such as the Environment, Climate Change, Sustainability, or Diversity.

Running every 3 weeks, The Wine Hour is a show on the Wine World. Built around 3 segments, the show offers an entertaining yet insightful approach on wine-related topics and issues. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it. Though it is broadcast on Zoom, the show is made to be listened to. So grab a glass of wine, sit back, relax and enjoy!

If you love or are interested in Wine but you are not necessarily an expert, then this show is for you! The main idea is that you can enjoy Wine whatever level of knowledge you have. So, if you are curious and want to discover more about Wine, tune in.

In our first segment, Uncorked, our team of Wine Experts, Jaime Araujo, Akos Forczek and Ray Isle (from time to time), deliver comments on current trends from the Wine industry, market and personalities.

In Licensed To Taste, our second segment, Tanisha Townsend will talk about Wine in a friendly, introducing wine regions, or grapes among other topics. She will also answer your wine questions (not necessarily related to the show’s topics).

In our last segment, Have A Drink With Me, your host, Antoine Abou-Samra, has a relaxed conversation with the show special guest(s).

The Wine Hour will run every three weeks on Thursday at the following time:
20:30 UK / 12:30 PST / 15:30 EST / 21:30 CET

The Live Podcast will be aired on Zoom. Registration is mandatory.