Our Sparks
AT CLARET & CO, WE SPECIALISE IN CONNECTING PASSIONATE PRODUCERS WITH DISCERNING MERCHANTS THROUGH A CONSULTATIVE APPROACH, CREATIVE MERCHANDISING, FULL WINE LIST CURATION, AND STAFF TRAINING.
‘OUR SPARKS’ ARE HIGHLY ENGAGED, INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY FOR ON AND OFF PREMISE CUSTOMERS.
Scott Teasdale
Principal
Scott fell into the wine industry by chance.
Whilst studying philosophy and smoking cigarettes, he realised that perhaps earning some money would be a sensible idea. If for nothing more than to pay for the smokes and booze, and what better way to do that, than work in retail liquor where all his vices could be supported by “cost plus ten”
His first job was at Mends St Wine Bin, working under Ray Perry. Ray was an old school somm’, who had been trained in post war London. Every wine had a story, every great house had a legend and he told Scott all of them. Soon the romance of philosophy was replaced with a passion for wine.
Thirty years have passed since then. Ray has moved to a retirement village and Scott has binned the tobacco and philosophy. The one thing that has remained constant over the last three decades is his passion for wine and the industry and their absolute ability to refuse to be pigeonholed.
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Lara McVeigh
“Through a sparkling glass we gaze. Champagne is one of the joyous wines we know.” unknown
With an Instagram handle @champagnelaram, you instantly know that Lara has a deep love and connection with champagne and all things that sparkle! In fact, her personality is a bit like a bottle of champagne too .... bubbly, bright and full of positive energy!
With over 30 years’ experience as a Hospitality Industry Professional, Lara has established a reputation for bringing enthusiasm to everything she does and going above and beyond for her clients!
Lara has worked in a variety of hospitality operational roles including Food and Beverage Management, Sales / Marketing and Human Resources and lecturer at TAFE. She also ran a successful Hospitality Consultancy specialising in training and human resources support, whilst on the fun-side of the wine industry, worked with The Fabulous Ladies Wine Society and co-hosted a luxury small 5 day group tour to Champagne with 'The Champagne Dame'.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Catering and Hotel Management and Marketing) and a Certificate IV Workplace Training.
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Sara Gennaro
Born and raised in the Jewel of the Renaissance, Florence, Sara’s early life was shaped by her love for salsa dance and vino.
However, in 2014, Sara decided to leave her dancing career behind and move to Australia to explore a new country and new opportunities. Being the sophisticate she is, she landed a job in the fashion industry, but her heart belonged to the world of wine.
In her free time, she attended wine tasting events and even got a part-time job selling wine after work hours and on weekends. Finally, she took the plunge and committed full time to studying, researching and, most importantly for us, the selling of wine.
Her love for the industry is infectious, and Sara uses her sparkling personality and her Italian passion to make the world of wine accessible and approachable to everyone she meets.
It makes perfect sense that her enthusiasm and love for life are reflected in her two passions… wine
and dance.. so, if you can’t find Sara talking wine in a beautiful restaurant, you’ll surely see her at a salsa event… with a glass of wine in her hand!
And she never spills a drop.
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Di Skender
Diane’s story is one of passion and dedication to the world of wine.
Growing up on her parents Swan Valley vineyard and market garden, surrounded by a loud, large, loving and hard-working immigrant family, Di was instilled with the values of connection, perseverance and determination.
This upbringing shaped not only her professional aspirations but also her commitment to her two beautiful daughters, who remain at the heart of her journey.
Starting her career in the 80’s at Penfolds, Di had clearly found her calling and shortly thereafter landed her first sales role. For the past twenty years, she has specialised in the rural and regional areas of WA. Her dedication and expertise have garnered her the prestigious Western Australian Liquor Store Association’s, Wine Rep of the Year Award and the title of Most Outstanding Sales Representative.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, her warm and professional approach, coupled with her love for the industry and her customers, makes Di a standout in her field and a very welcome addition to claret & co.
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Edward Rodda
Ed was born into a world of wine. Growing up in Perth, wine wasn’t just part of the meal — it was part of family life. From an early age, he helped organise his father’s cellar and joined him on wine trips.
After completing his psychology degree, Ed realised that understanding what made people drop $1000 on a bottle the’d previously never heard of was far more intriguing.
His career kicked off in the bars and restaurants of Margaret River and Augusta before moving back to Perth and eventually stepping into retail.
A transformative vintage gave him first-hand experience in winemaking — long, demanding days spent processing grapes that deepened his respect for the craft and the people behind it.
Ed then took his passion international, relocating to Singapore to work for an Australian-owned wine distributor. He worked closely with premium wines from France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, building relationships with high-end hospitality venues.
These days, you’ll find Ed back where it all started — still asking the same questions he did as a kid helping in dad’s cellar, just with a few more stamps in his passport and significantly better tasting notes than ”this one’s yummy.”
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Fi Patmore
Fi is a dynamic wine professional with a unique blend of experience, from the stage to the bottle.
Originally from South Africa, she was a professional ballet and contemporary dancer who traveled the world with her craft before calling Perth home.
Here’s a little secret we learned—when she first immigrated, she represented Perth at the World Step Team Aerobic Championships, and their team clinched the title.
After making the leap to the wine industry, Fi brought the same dedication and passion for performance to sales.
For her it’s not just about selling wine, it’s about creating lasting relationships and a deeper appreciation for the world of wine.
Her sales acumen and outgoing personality make every conversation about wine a memorable one.
She takes great pleasure in sharing the latest industry trends and helping customers select wines for their shelves and wine lists, offering guidance on regions, varieties, and pairings to suit their needs.
Fi stays active and fit, proving that both body and mind need to be in harmony.
