MEET THE
WINEMAKERS

With each issue, Wineries of Victoria delves into the lives and ambitions of local winemakers to give its readers an in-depth knowledge of the people behind the great wines created in the cold climate of Victoria. With a varying terroir and many boutique wineries experimenting with obscure varietals, Victoria offers an abundance of opportunity, which is why it has become such an important part of the winemaking industry.

Attracting some of the best winemakers in Australia, the wine regions of Victoria create some of the best cool-climate wines in the world, including shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, chardonnay, and many sparkling wines.

Featured below is the esteemed Meg Brodtmann, who in 2002 gained the label of first female Master of Wine, from the international Institute of Masters of Wine. The owner of Tallis Wine, Richard Tallis, is also featured as he is an experienced winemaker with a degree in wine science from Charles Sturt University.

With a family history in winemaking, Axel Friend became the chief winemaker at his family-owned winery Narkoojee Winery & Restaurant after completing two degrees and years of managing the vineyard. Scroll on to discover many other winemakers that have been featured in a number of previous issues of the magazine, while you can click on the View Winery Profiles button in each post to find out more about their winery.

With each issue of Wineries of Victoria a number of amazing winemakers from throughout Victoria are brought to light, while it also features a number of articles about the illustrious wine regions, specific wineries and the unique terroir and winemaking methods. Click on the Winery Articles tab above to discover more about the fruitful vineyards and the surrounding landmarks and history, as well as input and advice from the local wineries and tourist sites.

Read on below to discover more about the amazing people that keep the Australian wine industry at its best!

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Meet The Winemakers

Read on below to discover more about the amazing people that keep the Australian wine industry at its best!

Issue 16 Meet the Winemaker – Marc Scalzo

Marc Scalzo Owner and Vigneron at Piano Piano Wines“To me, wine belongs at the table, enjoyed with family and good food.” When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? I first realised I wanted to become a winemaker at the kitchen table. My father, Mario,...

Issue 16 Meet The Winemaker – Liz Lord Barnes

Liz Lord Barnes Winemaker at Star Lane Winery“It’s a wonderful thing to be able to literally see the fruits of your labour and to be able to share that with family and friends." When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? I have always loved cooking, food...

ISSUE 16 MEET THE WINEMAKER – JULIAN CASTAGNA

Julian Castagna Vigneron at Castagna“It is that interaction between the land itself, the produce of that land, and the hand of the maker that I find so exciting." When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? Fine wine has always been an obsession, and when...

ISSUE 16 MEET THE WINEMAKER – DANIEL BALZER

Daniel Balzer Owner and Winemaker at Willem Kurt Wines"I simply let the wine speak for itself. I try to give it the strongest voice I can by growing the highest quality grapes." When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? I realised I wanted to become a...

ISSUE 16 MEET THE WINEMAKER – ALEX BECKETT

Alex Beckett Director of Wine at Marnong Estate “I firmly believe that great wines begin with clear intent." When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? I was studying linguistics at the time and working weekends at the Tyrrell’s Wines cellar door. It was...

ISSUE 16 MEET THE WINEMAKER – ROBIN BROCKETT

Robin Brockett Chief Winemaker and Viticulturist "I like to keep an open mind and try not to be influenced by traditional styles. I want the wine to have its own personality and reflect where it has come from."When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker?...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – PATRICK WOOD

Patrick Wood Winemaker at Kyneton Ridge“I love being a witness at the helm of the unique natural phenomena that occurs during winemaking, and being able to guide and shape the process to create expressive and vibrant offerings.”When did you realise you wanted to...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – CHRISTOBELLE ANDERSON

Christobelle Anderson Winemaker at Anderson Winery“I love having a family winery and vineyard and being involved in the entire process from nurturing the vines to making the wine to seeing people enjoy a product that we’ve made from scratch.”When did you realise you...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – DAN BUCKLE

Dan Buckle Winemaking and Viticulture Director at Chandon“A friend of mine texted me recently – his son had just turned twenty, and they had opened a wine I had made in 2004 and they loved it. Winemakers live to get texts like that.”When did you realise you wanted to...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – DAVID HARMAN

David Harman Owner and Winemaker at Harman Wines“While we all rely on the vineyards to produce beautiful fruit, it's up to the winemaker to add elegance and grace to those grapes as they transition from grape to wine.”When did you realise you wanted to become a...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – MADDEN MORRIS

Madden Morris CHIEF WINEMAKER AT MORRIS OF RUTHERGLEN"I love new challenges and no two days in a winery are the same.”When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? This is always a fun one to answer because being 6th generation, people think you’re born into...

Issue 15 Meet the Winemaker – Greg Jarratt

Greg Jarratt WINEMAKERAT ST HUBERT'S“I love the excitement, anxiety and challenge of the vintage period. Grapes arriving, ferments bubbling away, dirty hands and a different crew to work with.”When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? As a late teen I had...

ISSUE 15 MEET THE WINEMAKER – ROBERT HEYWOOD

Robert Heywood CHIEF WINEMAKERAT TALTARNI ESTATE“I love new challenges and no two days in a winery are the same.”When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker? Tasting wine in the south of France, being surrounded by the vines and seeing the fruit before...