About Neil

Professional wine, bubbles, and horseracing expert, Neil Phillips, has combined his three life-long passions to forge a unique career spanning over three decades.

As The Wine Tipster, Neil’s work is never dull. He puts his accomplished presenting skills to good use within the racing and wine worlds and is committed to making both industries accessible to all audiences – from first-time Prosecco DOC drinkers to experienced racing experts. Neil’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for his craft makes every event with him memorable.

After spending his childhood in Gloucestershire, Neil’s love of punk-rock led him to the vibrant music scene of Sheffield, where he graduated with a BA Hons in Urban Studies. His career path was changed, however, after attending a Chardonnay blind tasting event which inspired him to leave his graduate job (but not the punk-rock) and enrol on a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma course. The rest is history.

Neil has worked for Moreno Wines, E&J Gallo, and Pernod Ricard. It was whilst at Pernod Ricard that he expanded his expertise to presenting which led to him becoming UK ambassador for G.H.Mumm and Perrier-Jouët (both owned by Pernod Ricard).

‘The Wine Tipster’ was born in 2009 when Neil began presenting at the Tesco Wine Fairs, and The Wine Show for Vini Portugal and other clients. Since then, Neil has gone on to become the UK Prosecco DOC Ambassador, amassing an impressive Social Media following, and expanding his successful career to include wine and food presentations with top clients and chefs including Raymond Blanc OBE, Michel Roux Jr, and Danilo Cortellini, to name just a few.

Neil is also a respected racing pundit and is the tipster and sommelier for The Jockey Club and Jockey Club Catering. The Wine Tipster’s passion for horseracing was evident as a child when he would impersonate the famous commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan aged just five. Now living his childhood dream, Neil has appeared as The Wine Tipster across national media outlets, continues to share tips via his Unibet column throughout the racing calendar, and hopes to have a racecourse in the Cheltenham Winner’s Enclosure soon.

Header photo by Dominic James, fourth footer photo by Flora Luna