Our People
Meet the amazing people that shape Market Wine Store everyday
Damien
Damo, as he is affectionately known, has brought four years of dynamic leadership to Market Wine Store, helping establish it as a must-visit wine destination on the Sunshine Coast. A true wine-industry lifer, his journey has taken him from cellarhand at age 17 in one of Brisbane’s finest restaurants at the time, Michael's Riverfront, to cellar assistant at Peter Lehman of the Barossa Valley, sales manager of one of Australia's most significant wine portfolios in Far North Queensland, and now Beverage Director for the Tony Kelly Restaurant Group.
Along the way, having extensively travelled through many of the world’s great wine regions, both through work and play, Damo has forged deep relationships with winemakers, growers and distributors. He believes its these connections, built over decades in the industry, that allow Market Wine Store to offer the exceptional range of wines, and the stories behind them, that you simply won’t find elsewhere.
But for Damien, wine has always been about more than what’s in the bottle, it’s about bringing people together. Away from the shop and restaurants, he treasures spending time with his two children and creating a home life centred around food, family and the outdoors. Whether he's tending to his chickens and bees in the garden, baking fresh bread from scratch, or sharing a meal with loved ones, Damien finds joy in the simple pleasures that connect people.
If there's any spare time left between family, work and his many projects, chances are you'll find him on the golf course. He’s as passionate about chasing the perfect round as he is about finding the perfect bottle.
He’s as proud of the passionate team he has built as he is of any industry accolade. With approachable expertise, a touch of rock-and-roll flair and a genuine love of connecting people through wine, Damien continues to make Market Wine Store a place where discovering great wine feels exciting, accessible and sometimes just a little bit wild.
Annie
Our manager at Market Wine Store Maroochydore is the brilliant Annie, a globetrotter whose nearly decade of service at the very top level has given her a unique perspective on the drinks landscape. After spending much of her early adult life traveling, she built the early phase of her career working on superyachts across the world - serving the elite some of the most exclusive wines most lovers can only hope to taste. Like many overseas workers, COVID drove her back to solid ground where her skill set in delivering exemplary service has been a most welcome addition to our stores.
Upon completing her Level 3 WSET qualification, Annie has parlayed this knowledge plus an insatiable thirst for learning to carve her own philosophy on wine that centres around unique character, without any preconception on region or country. This open-minded approach led to recognition of the first wine list spearheaded by her to attain 3 Goblets (the highest awarding) late in 2023 and again in 2024.
Currently experiencing a 'self-confessed' infatuation with Chenin Blanc, but textural whites, bold pinot noir and european beers are forever pulling her heartstrings. If you are in the area on a weekend make sure to stop into the Maroochydore store to experience the fresh take on tastings hosted every Friday & Saturday night, a blueprint masterminded by Annie herself.
Rich
Rich has spent more than 30 years working in the culinary and hospitality industry, building his career as a chef across high-end restaurants, luxury resorts, private residences, island retreats, and charter boats throughout Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and Far North Queensland.
Over the years, he developed a strong appreciation for premium food, wine, and exceptional customer service. Working in diverse hospitality environments gave him valuable experience in wine pairing, quality produce, and creating memorable guest experiences.
He has formally studied wine and continues to expand his knowledge through ongoing education and industry learning. Joining Market Wine Store in early 2026 as Bokarina’s Store Manager, he combines his culinary background with a genuine passion for wine to help customers confidently choose wines for every occasion. He prides himself on delivering approachable, knowledgeable service and creating a welcoming experience for everyone, from dedicated wine enthusiasts to customers simply looking for something special to enjoy at home.
mel
Born into hospitality, Mel started out as a little gun at the Queensland Rugby Union Football Club, working her way through the pace and chaos of game days, teaching her very early on that great service is simple....people first, always.
Then WINE came along, prompting a trip through South Australia, followed by time spent in Italy and France, walking, tasting, and immersing herself in vineyards and cellars. That was the shift. What began as boozy enjoyment turned into something deeper, a genuine fascination with how wine moves from earth to glass to deep memory.
Since then, she has moved organically through fast bars, casual to high-end restaurants, and fine wine retail, from the floor to management, picking up a few accolades along the way. Mel also helped shape one of Australia’s leading craft beer destinations and collaborated with some of the country’s most exciting breweries. Let’s call it 30+ years across many corners of the industry, still and always guided by the idea that the more we learn, the more there is to discover.
At Market Wine Store, Mel brings all of that together, shaping the online world through content, emails and web, while making sure it feels as inviting and easy as it should. She also loves sharing this experience (and a glass ;)) within the stores, helping people find their way into a glass of something they’re genuinely excited to drink.
When it comes to her 'wine down' time, honestly, she loves it all! (as long as it’s good ;)), but she does tend to lean towards brightness and energy, wines with lift, texture, and clarity. She is drawn to things that feel alive, where she can sense the place, the season, and the hands (and time) behind them. Curiously, texture might be her favourite flavour... the way a wine carries itself, lingers, and holds everything in place.
Outside of work, Mel is usually planning a trip (somehow always ending up where the good drinks are), walking the dog, thinking about her next meal, or opening something with family and friends. Nothing too serious... just life with good wine and good people.
Michael
Our fine wine expert at Market Wine Store has spent 15 years working in the industry focusing on boutique, high-quality, and difficult-to-source producers throughout the new and old world. After spending almost 7 years as a fine wine consultant, specializing in Italian (Barolo, Amarone & Brunello) & French wines (Burgundy & Rhone), Michael's career took him to London to work in the 3 major sectors of the wine trade: Retail, Investment and Hospitality. This experience instilled in Michael that his favourite thing in the wine industry is dealing with customers and opening up new experiences for them. Upon returning to Australia during Covid, he built a cellar release and auction division for a nationally distributed fine wine retailer based out of Sydney.
Moving back to his family region of the Sunshine Coast, Michael is formalizing his wine knowledge through the WSET program and is currently completing his Level 4 Diploma, with aspirations of being accepted into the MW program in the future. While interested in all wines so long as they show balance and character, Michael's favourite wines to drink at home focus around white wines that pair most succinctly with the cuisines he likes to cook.
Jimmy
Jimmy grew up in one of the leading Hotels on the Sunshine Coast. It was here that his old man put him to work helping Bar staff and drive thru staff earning $1 per hour. At around 15 years of age he was serving the locals their Wine, Beer and Spirit needs. You could say he was born into the hospitality industry. And, off and on over time, that's where he stayed.
Flash forward to the year 2000 and James left the Coast for the big city, Sydney.It was there that he landed a job with Vintage Cellars in Neutral Bay and his passion for Wine really soared.
Attending wine appreciation and education courses and supplier trade tastings, he was starting to experience the finer things in life. He worked his way back to Queensland, Managing stores in Brisbane and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Even after taking some time away from the hospitality industry, his passion for Wine never wavered. So when an opportunity to join the team at Market wine Store presented itself, he jumped at the chance.
What better way to sink your teeth into some incredible wine than to get on board with the most prestigious wine store on the Sunshine Coast. While the occasional knock off beer is always enjoyed, you'll probably see him enjoying a Chardy from the Mornington Peninsula or on occasion a big earthy Pinot Noir.
Jamie
Jamie Holmes is an industry veteran who truly knows the hospitality scene from the ground up. His journey began in 1996, working the doors at nightclubs and bars, before moving behind the bar at iconic spots like the original O’Malleys Irish Bar in the Wintergarden.
A 2002 honeymoon to South Australia proved to be a career-defining moment. It was there Jamie discovered wine - not just as 'fermented grape juice,' but as a fascinating, endless journey of discovery and intrigue fueled by passionate people. After six years honing his craft in both independent and chain retail, he transitioned into wholesale management for one of Australia’s premier wine distributors, representing some of the most prestigious wine brands in the world.
Fast forward 17 years, and Jamie has returned to where his heart truly lies: independent retail. If asked about his favourite grape, it would have to be Chardonnay, in whatever form it comes, as long as it's good. However being a true wine tragic, he considers himself an above average student of the whole, knowing something about everything rather than everything about one thing.
For him, happiness is found in that unique connection made with people over a great bottle of wine.
Nina
Behind Market Wine Store’s website and online store is Nina, a multicultural traveller and wine enthusiast who arrived in Australia in 2024. Growing up on the volcanic island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, she developed an early fascination with its distinctive winemaking traditions, particularly Malvasía Volcánica — a wine shaped by the island’s landscape, culture, and resilience.
Her journey into wine began at a local wine tour and shop in Lanzarote, where she worked across administration, PR, and marketing while building a strong foundation in wine knowledge. She later specialised in digital and performance marketing, focusing on web, SEO, and user experience — combining technical precision with a strong focus on usability, flow, and the overall online journey.
Starting in the Maroochydore store, Nina gained hands-on experience with Australian wine, beer, and spirits while supporting customers and refining the website and e-commerce store.
Now fully focused on the digital side of the business, she continues to enhance performance, processes, functionality, and user experience — carrying Market Wine Store with her wherever her travels take her. Along the way, she’s developed a taste for fresh, expressive wines such as Italian whites, Grenache and GSM blends, as well as lagers, ales and hazy IPAs — while remaining loyal to the Malvasía Volcánica of her home.
