i. Biography
His work sits between winemaking and judging, and he says it plainly: “I’ll never profess to be a viticulturist, I’m a winemaker.” That line sets the terms of the craft. The vineyard matters, but his remit is the cellar, the palate, and the judgment required to know what the fruit can carry once it reaches the winery.
The Climb
Training at Macquarie University and Roseworthy Campus gave Mike De Iuliis the academic grounding that winemaking asks for, but the job itself is measured in repetition, restraint and the ability to read detail without forcing it. That combination of study and practice shaped a career built on precision rather than flourish, with judgment accumulating over time. In 2024, Mike became chair of judges at Sydney Royal Wine Show, where that same discipline moves from production into assessment, and the standards of the glass are tested in public.
Today
The work at De Iuliis is defined by continuity. As winemaker of De Iuliis, Mike De Iuliis keeps the label anchored in a clear style, with decisions that favor definition and control over noise. His judging role sits alongside that practice, keeping him inside the wider conversation of the trade, where calibration matters and experience is put to use in service of the category.
Career - Winemaker — De Iuliis, Hunter Valley - Chair of Judges — Sydney Royal Wine Show (from 2024) Education: Macquarie University; Roseworthy Campus
Signature
Mike's signature wines include 2017 Aged Release Semillon.
In Their Words “The ability to give back to an industry that has been so wonderful to me is something I am quite excited for, not a lot of people get the opportunity.” “The opportunity to be Chair of Judges at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show is a massive responsibility, and one I do not take lightly.”
Recognition
Len Evans Tutorial scholar.
FAQ What is Mike De Iuliis's current role? As of 2026, Mike De Iuliis is Owner & Winemaker. Where did Mike De Iuliis train or study? Mike De Iuliis trained at Macquarie University and Roseworthy Campus. What recognition has Mike De Iuliis received? Len Evans Tutorial scholar (2004).
