Libération Tardive Strengthens Leadership with Three New Appointments

The recently launched Libération Tardive Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Claire Scott-Gall, Helga Louise Schroeder MS and Megan Schellinger, further enhancing the team’s mission to champion and foster the commercial sustainability of aged fine wine, globally. These esteemed professionals bring exceptional expertise across the worlds of wine, finance and law, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to education, advocacy and global fine wine engagement.

Claire Scott-Gall CMktr DipWSET: Driving Strategic Growth in Fine Wine

A highly respected Chartered Marketer with 20 years in the UK wine trade, Claire Scott-Gall joins the board as Non-Executive Director to guide Libération Tardive’s strategy and develop relationships with key partners that share a common passion for extended ageing of fine wines. As Director of European Wines at Mentzendorff, Claire leads strategic sales, marketing and PR initiatives in the UK for 13 wineries from France, Portugal, Spain and Italy. In the past 5 years, she has delivered a 150% increase in sales across her portfolio. Her deep commercial knowledge, extensive industry network and innovative approach to brand partnerships will be instrumental in furthering the Foundation’s outreach across the trade.

A keen collector of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Italian wines, Claire has built a career on promoting wines of exceptional quality and longevity. “I’m thrilled to be joining the team as Non-Executive Director and championing the benefits of extended fine wine ageing — a cause that has inspired me throughout my career — and one that has the potential to make a significant commercial impact across all sectors of the wine trade” she affirms. In her spare time, Claire practices yoga, bakes and loves to travel.

Helga Schroeder MS: Expertise in Fine Wine Curation & Education

Helga Louise Schroeder brings unparalleled expertise in fine wine curation, purchasing and education, with a career spanning prestigious roles across the wine and hospitality sectors. As the first female Master Sommelier in German-speaking countries (at the Court of Master Sommeliers in London), she has cultivated a global perspective and a deep understanding of both the B2B and B2C markets for fine wines.

Libération Tardive, a platform dedicated to showcasing the virtues of aged wines and championing their value. In today’s fast-paced world, this is no small challenge … but it’s unquestionably worth it.” Fluent in English, French and her native tongue German, Helga is also currently a dedicated student at the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), bringing a commitment to continuous learning and excellence to her role at Libération Tardive. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys birdwatching, forest bathing and marathon running.

Megan Schellinger DipWSET: Bridging Law, Finance and Fine Wine

Megan Schellinger is a finance lawyer and partner at Baker McKenzie, one of the world’s leading international law firms. Her expertise in navigating complex financial transactions is matched by her deep passion for wine. In 2022, Megan earned her WSET Diploma with merit, reinforcing the depth of her industry knowledge.

For eight years, Megan has been a proactive member of the Solicitors Wine Society, where she has played a pivotal role in curating exceptional tastings for legal professionals. As the Society’s Secretary for the past two years, she has demonstrated her leadership in fostering fine wine appreciation within the legal community.

Her wine interests are diverse, spanning Piemonte greats, Barolo, Barbaresco and Timorasso as well as celebrating the rise of English sparkling wine and the complexity of New World Pinot Noir. Beyond wine, Megan is an avid runner, passionate skier and devoted operagoer, frequently attending performances in London and beyond. Her broad cultural and professional interests bring a refined palate, intellectual curiosity and multidisciplinary insight to her role at the Foundation.

A New Era for Libération Tardive

“The appointment of Claire, Helga and Megan marks an exciting new chapter for this not-for-profit which honours the work of The Drinks Trust as our chosen beneficiary” says Dominic Buckwell DipWSET and Co-Director of the Foundation with James Belton DipWSET. “The extended team’s combined expertise across fine wine, global commerce, education and law will now drive new initiatives, deepening engagement with the wine community and reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the elegance and complexity of aged wines.”

About Libération Tardive Foundation

“A new global non-profit organisation, the Libération Tardive Foundation, has been formed to promote the appreciation of older wine, as the vast majority of those buying wine have never tasted wines of over 10 years in bottle’ writes John Stimpfig for The Wine Conversation podcast. The Foundation is committed to fostering a commercially sustainable market for fine wines aged ten years or more, as exemplified by its forthcoming 10+ campaign. Guided by the principle that ‘great wines take time’, the organisation seeks to educate and inspire all parties in the supply chain — from producers, merchants and intermediaries to consumers — regarding the transformative effects of ageing on fine wines. Founder members include Dominic Buckwell DipWSET, James Belton DipWSET, David Pinchard, Christopher Burr MW and Fran Bridgewater FCIM.