Known as a lively, witty and informative wine lecturer, Bartholomew is also one of the world’s foremost authorities on Port and Madeira. He is credited for being responsible for the growth of Port consumption in North America during the 1980’s and was responsible for the re-introduction of Madeira to America in 1989, instrumental in its growth since then.

Raised in the English wine trade in a formal apprenticeship to his famous father, Michael Broadbent MW [Director of Christie’s and prolific wine author], Bartholomew has also worked in London for Harrod’s [Wine Department], Harvey’s Fine Wine Merchants in Pall Mall and Christie’s. He worked in Australia for Rothbury Estate and for Yalumba Winery. In France, he worked in Cognac for Hennessy and in Paris for L’Academie du Vin.

In the United States, he set up Premium Port Wines, Inc. [which became America’s largest Port and Madeira importer], for the Symington family, which he subsequently ran as President for 10 years, before leaving to create Broadbent Selections, Inc.