A third generation winemaker (Grandad Coonawarra, Dad McLaren Vale) he was destined to spend February to April each year with red hands, feet and tongue.
One of Australia's leading wine industry figures, David Lowe represents the sixth generation of the Lowe family, graziers who settled in 1829 at ‘Tinja' in the Mudgee region of New South Wales.
Andrew had a ‘hands on’ apprenticeship with the late, great Murray Tyrrell who was one of the best winegrowers of his time.
Suzanne grew up in Canberra and from the age of 14 she knew she wanted to be a winemaker. Having been banned by the teachers from doing work experience at a winery (an inappropriate career choice!), she had to wait until leaving school to start getting her hands dirty.
Troy Kalleske, is a seventh generation Barossan whose family has been growing grapes since 1853.
A highly experienced and respected winemaker, Sam launched her first solo project, Stargazer, in 2013.
Rollo Crittenden
Mornington Peninsula
Rollo has been privileged to study and work in many of the world’s most acclaimed wineries and wine regions throughout his formative years.
Geoff Hardy
Adelaide Hills/ Langhorne Creek
Geoff Hardy’s great-great grandfather, the original Thomas Hardy, first planted grapesin South Australia in the early 1850s and was one of the founding fathers of the Australian wine industry.
Daryl Groom has been involved in the wine industry in both the USA and Australia for more than 30 years. Currently he is engaged in a number of wine- related projects in both countries.
My early inspiration came from my father, Wayne Thomas who had a distinguished career making wine in McLaren Vale, where I was raised.
Corrina, with cousin Brioni Oliver, is the leading voice of the Oliver family’s sixth generation and the impetus behind their own wine label – Oliver’s Taranga.
From the age of 11, Simon knew that he wanted to become a winemaker and since graduating in Oenology in 1977 has been making wine ever since.
Hewitson was founded in 1998 as a result of winemaker Dean Hewitson’s driving passion to produce world-class wine from the historic, dry-grown vineyards of South Australia’s very best regions including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills.
The first release of wines under Tim’s own label was in September 1986, by which time he had left the Stanley Wine Company.
In 1997 he and then wife Jane Willson (sic) started Neagles Rock Winery in the Clare Valley, turning a dilapidated house into an elegant cellar door and small restaurant, and rehabilitating a run-down vineyard.
These days Ralph doesn’t make thousands of cases of wine. What he offers us is very rare so when you see something under his name and you want it, grab it straight away.
Simon Sorby Adams
Barossa Valley
Simon is the brother of Tim Adams, another of our Iconic Winemakers. I always thought Sorby was a cute little nom de plume but not so.
Matt grew up in Auckland, working his first vintage in 1988 at Nobilos, in West Auckland. He then studied at Roseworthy College, graduating in 1991.
Natasha ‘Tash’ Mooney
Adelaide Hills
Known by friends, family and workmates as Tash, she approaches winemaking with an individual and entrepreneurial spirit.
Mike Sexton is the vigneron and winemaker for Main & Cherry. His curiosity in wine began as a young boy while trying his Dad’s Mateus around the Sunday lunch table. The playful Rosé lit a spark and Mike’s journey into the world of wine had begun.
During Matt’s 18+ years at Wolf Blass, working with some of the best winemakers in Australia, he has been recognized for his winemaking skills by winning numerous trophies and accolades for the wines he produced.
Briony Hoare’s philosophy is “to do one thing better every week”. This philosophy has served Beach Road Wines well, particularly since the purchase of the Beach Road Wines’ Cellar Door and Restaurant in 2014.