People in Wine
Challenge breeds innovation for Young Gun Peter Valeri
For Peter Valeri, grapegrowing is as intrinsic to his family history as it is to the region he grew up in. Based in Griffith in NSW, Peter’s drive to pursue winemaking has taken him across the nation, but it’s always brought him back to the Riverina.
From strength to strength: Young Gun Lauren Langfield makes strides in sustainability
When Lauren first set foot in a vineyard she didn’t even have a driver’s license. Six months later, she was enrolled in a diploma of viticulture and winemaking at university, driving tractors and reversing trailers unsupervised. Now, she’s heading up Orbis Wines as both general manager and head winemaker and is making strides in sustainability. In 2023, Orbis won the South Australia Wine Industry Association’s Environmental Excellence Award for the small to medium category, and Lauren collected the Young Gun of Wine award to boot.
Young Gun: Marcell Kustos
Marcell Kustos has had a hand in some of the greatest wine experiences that Australia has to offer, having grown up around a passion for wine himself. He has used his career to lift the industry to new heights and help people create incredible experiences. Not to mention his own label of incredible wines. He chatted with journalist Harrison Davies about what drives his passion for wine.
Young Gun: Dave Verheul, winemaker
Kiwi chef and winemaker Dave Verheul entered the world of vermouth because he wanted to understand more about the complex flavours of the style. Journalist
Producer Profile: Spring Timlin
ROLE: Winemaker Winery: Squealing Pig Location: Marlborough, New Zealand Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Rosé, Sparkling Rosé, Spritzed Rosé, Pinot Grigio Firstly, you
Behind the Top Drops: Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
Cover: Mount Pleasant’s Lovedale vineyard. Photo: Chris Elfes It’s been an historic year for Hunter Valley-based Mount Pleasant — not only is it celebrating 100
Young Gun: Dan Graham, Sigurd Wines; Wine from Valhalla
YOUNG GUN Dan Sigurd Graham Wines from Valhalla This month, journalist Samuel Squire took the longboat to Norway (not really) to chat to November’s Young
Producer Profile: Natalie Cleghorn
ROLE: Senior winemakerESTATE: KatnookLOCATION: North of Penola, Coonawarra, South AustraliaCURRENT SIZE OF PRODUCTION: 800 tonnes (mostly red wine) What are your earliest memories of wine?
Young Gun: Natillie Johnston
YOUNG GUN Natillie Johnston Tillie in the vineyard with partner Tom. This month, budding winemaker Tillie Johnston had a chat with journalist Samuel Squire about
Young Gun: Matt Godfrey
YOUNG GUN Matt Godfrey Barossa-born Matt Godfrey now calls Margaret River home after 18 vintages in the wine industry. Interestingly, winemaking wasn’t the first option
Young Gun: Jess Wilson
. This month, journalist Samuel Squire caught up with the Marlborough winner of the 2021 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year competition in New Zealand,
Producer Profile: Penny Jones
Born and bred in Hobart, Tasmania, a passion for food and wine has always been in Penny’s blood. After graduating as Dux of Oenology in
Ella Hoban: A sparkling future in wine
Growing up surrounded by South Australia’s iconic wine regions, including McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, winemaker Ella Hoban has strived to earn
Young Gun: Nick Odell linking producer to consumer
On the flip side of wine production, wine buyers source vino from all walks of the wine scene into retailers, independent or otherwise, and help sell to consumers through personal interactions.
Producer Profile: Cynthea Semmens
Journalist Samuel Squire caught up with Cynthea for a chat about her life in wine on Australia’s southernmost winegrowing island, as she shares her thoughts on the industry and on organic viticulture.
Daniel Payne: An ode to the Hunter
Image: Dirt Candy owner and winemaker Daniel Payne Growing up in one of Australia’s most iconic wine regions seems to shape many into a life
Young Gun: Alyson Tanenbaum
In the picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region of South Australia lies Vinteloper, a winery kicked into gear by founder David Fowley and operated by a
Behind the Top Drops: Cullen Diana Madeline
Last week, the latest vintage of Cullen Wines’ Diana Madeline received the award for best wine in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Family category in the
