Part of the “Know Your Judges” Series – Asia Wine Ratings 2025

In this interview, we chat with Grant Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Bespoke Fine Wine Co., Ltd., based in Bangkok, Thailand. Grant is one of the region’s most trusted importers and advocates for Australian wine—especially those from South Australia.

He founded his company on the belief that many of the best Australian wines were underrepresented in the Asian market. Since then, he has dedicated himself to sourcing and showcasing boutique producers who deserve a place on Asia’s wine lists, shelves, and cellars. Grant brings deep local insight, import expertise, and a strong commitment to quality and storytelling, making him a key voice on this year’s Asia Wine Ratings judging panel.

Tell us about yourself and Bespoke Fine Wine Co.

Hi, my name's Grant Smith, and I'm the Managing Director and Founder of Bespoke Fine Wine Co., Ltd. based in Bangkok, Thailand. I started my company on a firm belief that wines from Australia and in particular South Australia were hugely underrepresented in the market and were so much better than what was currently available.

What makes a wine stand out to you on a crowded retail shelf?

Visual appeal. We buy with our eyes, so the label has to grab your attention. After that, you can dive deeper into whatever technical aspects you're looking for.

Grant Smith with Ananda Everingham (Source: Instagram)

From your experience, how do buying habits in Asia differ from those in Europe or the U.S.?

Choice. Being in Asia and for the most part a non-wine-producing country (except for a couple of excellent producers from Khao Yai), our market is almost exclusively import-driven, so we have amazing representation from all the great wine-producing regions from around the world.

How important is packaging in your scoring at Asia Wine Ratings?

Packaging plays a huge part. It's one of the first points of contact with wine.

What advice would you give to producers trying to enter or grow in the Asian market?

Patience and understanding. There's a lot of regulation involved which can be confusing and frustrating when compared to western markets.

What excites you most about judging at Asia Wine Ratings this year?

The aspect of how the value and the packaging will play a role in the overall judging process.

Get your wines in front of Asia’s top trade buyers, importers, and decision-makers—judges like Grant who evaluate wines with both commercial and consumer appeal in mind. At Asia Wine Ratings, your wines are assessed not just for quality, but for value and packaging, reflecting real-world buying behavior across the region.

The judging will take place on October 23, 2025. The warehouse deadline is September 30, and winners will be announced on November 7.

Enter now and save with Early Bird pricing before the June 30, 2025 deadline. Submit your wines today.

Stay tuned for more judge interviews and industry insights leading up to the event.

Also Read:
Q and A: Arthur Le Vaillant, Founder of ARTORUS Wine & Spirits, Luxury Spirits Expert- Asia
Meet the Judges of Asia Wine Ratings 2025: Shaping Asia’s Next Best-Selling Wines
Richard Hemming MW Joins 2025 Asia Wine Ratings Judging Panel