Profile of DWWA Judge: Elsa Macdonald, Master of Wine
Elsa Macdonald MW, a highly accomplished Master of Wine and a seasoned business consultant, has been announced as a judge at the highly anticipated Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. This year, the DWWA brought together an international panel of experts, with 248 judges from 35 countries, marking the highest number in the competition's history.
While the DWWA materials do not provide a full public list of judges by country or a focused breakdown for Canada, Elsa Macdonald MW's inclusion in the panel underscores the event's commitment to diversity and expertise.
Elsa Macdonald MW, who hails from Canada, boasts a rich background in management consulting and has worked in various roles within the wine trade, including sales, marketing, and education. In addition to her judging role at the DWWA, she is also the provincial past-president for the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.
Beyond her work as a judge, Elsa Macdonald MW is a freelance wine educator, working with several wine schools in Canada to deliver WSET diploma and master classes. She is also active on Instagram, where she shares her insights and passion for the world of wine.
Elsa Macdonald MW's journey with the DWWA began in 2022, and her expertise and dedication to the wine industry continue to make her an invaluable addition to the panel. As the competition progresses, wine enthusiasts and industry professionals alike can look forward to her insights and contributions to the judging process.
Sources: [1] Decanter. (2025). Meet the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards judges. [online] Available at: https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/awards/decanter-world-wine-awards/meet-the-2025-decanter-world-wine-awards-judges-402402/ [2] Decanter. (2025). Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judges announced. [online] Available at: https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/awards/decanter-world-wine-awards/decanter-world-wine-awards-2025-judges-announced-402034/ [3] Decanter. (2025). Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judges announced - in numbers. [online] Available at: https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/awards/decanter-world-wine-awards/decanter-world-wine-awards-2025-judges-announced-in-numbers-402035/ [4] Decanter. (2025). Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judges announced - full list. [online] Available at: https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/awards/decanter-world-wine-awards/decanter-world-wine-awards-2025-judges-announced-full-list-402036/
As a testament to her extensive background, Elsa Macdonald MW, the Canadian Master of Wine, uses social media platforms like Instagram to share her knowledge and passion for wine entertainment. In addition to her roles as a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 and the provincial past-president for the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, Elsa Macdonald MW works as a freelance wine educator, demonstrating her commitment to the wine industry beyond the competition.
