Meet the Winemaker (Episode 20): Tim Preston, Mills Reef Wines
Debra chats with Tim Preston of Mills Reef, a family owned winery located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. They muse that after a couple of decades of Tim working with his father, it is dad who has (finally!) left home, retiring from the winemaking business. Tim and Debra discuss the hugely successful Elspeth range, including how to approach it, the holistic vine to bottle focus, and the pressure to make the range a success (as it is named after Tim’s grandma). Tim discusses the Kiwi winemaking scene and how his whites differ from others in New Zealand.
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 19): Richard Buller, Buller Wines
Richard Buller of Buller Wines in Rutherglen Australia shares with Debra the unique story behind Rutherglen Muscat, one of the few varietals for which Australia can lay claim to fame, why it is pure nectar, how important cellar door visitors are to Buller Wines, and how to taste this unique wine using three key senses.
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 18): Mike Reynolds, Hall Wines
Mike Reynolds, President of Hall Wines in Napa Valley, California, muses with Debra about moving in the opposite direction to many winemakers: from dirt to desk. Aside from participating in many winery related activities, he also discusses the other controversial project for Hall Wines, a Frank Gehry designed visitor centre for the winery. Debra and Mike chat about his favourite wines, and he recommends that people should listen to their own tastebuds rather than the critics to get the most out of the wine.
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 17): Bernie Wood, Green Point
Green Point’s Bernie Wood had an early start to his winemaking career, helping plant the first vineyards for Moet & Chandon at Green Point in the Yarra Valley in around 1987 at the age of about 14 years old. Bernie chats about the fineries of bubbles in sparkling wine with Debra and the mouth watering sensation of acidity on the palate. They chat about Bernie’s high risk hobbies and the excitement of the company’s branding change from Green Point to Chandon on the international market.
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 16): Nigel Gallop, Fraser Gallop Estate
Nigel Gallop of Fraser Gallop Estate explains why he chose the Margaret River region of Wilyabrup to set up his winery, how important soil was in his search for the perfect site for Cabernet and how, unlike the rest of Australia, they have avoided the problems of drought. He also explains how winemaker Clive Otto (of Vasse Felix fame) is differentiating his winemaking at Fraser Gallop Estate from his time under his previous label.
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 15): Ivan Sutherland, Dog Point
Olympic rowing medallist and Dog Point winery partner Ivan Sutherland ponders the link between his two vastly different passions, explains why there is no dog in sight on the Dog Point label (and the origins of the actual name of Dog Point) and what goes through his mind as he wanders through the rows of vines on the estate.
