Rising star winemaker gets new gig

Rising winemaking star Nicole Brasier has been appointed senior winemaker at historic Langhorne Creek producer Bleasdale.

Brasier, who joins after two years working for Accolade Wines at Tintara in McLaren Vale, will be working with winemaker Sam Rowlands (the pair is pictured above) as Bleasdale undergoes a changing of the guard.

There has been recent turnover at Bleasdale with Paul Hotker exiting earlier this year to work as a consultant, and Matt Laube stepping down to work on other projects. Laube will work with Brasier over the changeover. 

Brasier has over 10 years of experience and a degree in winemaking and viticulture.

She has worked with premium fruit from regions including the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, the Hunter Valley, Tumbarumba, Margaret River, Tasmania and Coonawarra inclding stints at Fourth Wave Wines and at Margan Wines.

Brasier has been a judge on the show circuit and recently completed the coveted Len Evans Tutorial.

Sustainability in the wine industry is also one of her passions.

She will be working closely with Bleasdale’s viticulturist and grower liaison officer, Sarah Keough, the Nuffield Australia 2020 Scholarship winner, who is actively involved in the EcoVineyards projects.

It has been a busy time at Bleasdale with wine industry veteran Iain Riggs AM last week named as the new Chair.   

New role for wine industry veteran Riggs

A life in wine has come full circle for wine industry veteran Iain Riggs AM. 

A towering figure in the wine business for half a century, Riggs has just taken a key role at historic winery Bleasdale, where his wine career began. 

Riggs, known for his almost four decades at Hunter Valley standout Brokenwood, began his life in wine at Langhorne Creek producer Bleasdale in 1973 - and began working there full-time in 1975 after graduating from Roseworthy Agricultural College.

After a stint in McLaren Vale he moved to the Hunter Valley in 1982. 

"I am very humbled to join the Bleasdale board and take on the role of Chair," Riggs said. "I will be working with a great team led by [general manager]Leigh Warren."

Riggs succeeds Robert Edwards, who completed a decade as the chair of the Bleasdale board.

"I have big shoes to fill; thank you Robert for your stewardship over the last 10 years," Riggs said.

"It is by no accident that Bleasdale is continually recognised as one of the best wineries in Australia. It is because of the people that work here and those that have provided their wisdom and support to us over the years."

Bleasdale issued a statement saying: "Iain has gone on to do some amazing things in the wine industry as many would be aware, and we are so very fortunate to have him at the helm of our board."

Star winemaker has a dual focus moving forward

 

Star winemaker Paul Hotker may have resigned after 17 years at Bleasdale in Langhorne Creek, but he has no intention of winding down. 

Hotker is taking up a new role as head of winemaking Longview Vineyards in the Adelaide Hills from July 1, as well as establishing his own wine consultancy. 

Hotker says he will be "offering my services on a consultancy basis to a wider audience". 

"With the wine sector going through another challenging period, it’s never been more important for wine businesses to make better wine and remain competitive," he says. 

" I am focusing on my key strengths, adding value and improving winemaking and production systems from vineyard to winemaking both from a quality and efficiency perspective. 

" I am offering audits and recommendations of process by variety, red or white, winery or full portfolio reviews with viticulture and winemaking recommendations to match client aspirations in wine quality and qualities. 

" I can also assist with classification tastings, wine assessment or guidance and assistance at the blending bench."

Hotker says he expects to spend the lion’s share of his time at Longview Vineyard, with whom he  has been working as a consultant, predominantly on red wine, over the past six years. 

Longview has multiple trophies and gold medals for its cabernet sauvignon and syrah wines, including a cabernet trophy at Melbourne Royal and red wine of show for syrah at last year’s Adelaide Hills Wine Show.

"I had ideas about starting a new [consultancy] venture along these lines a few years ago but Covid, bushfires, smoke taint, export challenges and a lack of a succession plan narrowed my focus whilst this was addressed," he said. 

"There have been four cracking vintages in a row at Bleasdale and there is plenty of good stuff in tank. Matt Laube will very ably succeed me in the senior winemaking role, assisted by Sam Rowlands, a winemaker with a Viti-background who joined Bleasdale two years ago [from Longview]. 

"They have an excellent cellar team and Sarah Keough remains in place as viticulturalist and knows the blocks and growers after years with Bleasdale and many more in ‘The Creek’."

During his time with Bleasdale, the team collected over show 85 trophies and 330 gold medals for Bleasdale and clients. 

At Longview, Hotker will work with the Saturno family. 

"The passion and drive all at Longview have for barbera and nebbiolo particularly, is infectious and the vineyard also produces excellent examples of some Adelaide Hills modern classics," he says. 

"Having spent six years getting to know each other, I am confident that I can make a great contribution to an already excellent business and the increase in my time and focus will help consolidate and support their plans.

"Longview is a terrific vineyard, with diverse slopes and aspects, soil types and varietal spread, along with one of the best meso-climates of ’The Hills’. They are a driven team that like to have fun whilst growing amazing fruit and producing compelling and delicious wines… what more could I ask for?"

Leading winemaker stands down after 17 years

Paul Hotker is standing down as Bleasdale senior winemaker after 17 very successful years in charge.

Hotker has been a key figure in establishing the Langhorne Creek winery as one of the most consistent and best-value wineries in Australia.  

It was announced today that Hotker will hand the senior winemaker reins Matt Laube, but will stay on with the Potts family as a consultant. 

Bleasdale is one of Australia's longest-operating wine producers with a track record dating back 174 years. 

Laube has worked alongside Hotker as the operations winemaker for the past 15 years, so is fully conversant with the Bleasdale ethos and history. 

As he steps into the senior winemaking role, he will be assisted by Sam Rowlands, who has been promoted to winemaker as part of a long-term succession plan. 

Bleasdale employed Laube after he did vintages at Yalumba, Bay of Fires in Tasmania and in Oregon. 

Hotker has great confidence in Laube's skills. 

“We know how each other thinks, preferences and approaches to wine," he said. 

"We always look for the positive in each vintage, vineyard, and barrel, what it brings to the blend and how we can improve the result. For 90% of the time, we’re on the same page, and the other 10% involves some robust discussion, but we’re mates, so we get there in the end.” 

Former Nautilus winemaker Hotker has established himself as one of Australia’s leading winemakers, and during his leadership the Bleasdale team has collected over 80 trophies and 300 gold medals for Bleasdale and its clients.

Robert Edwards, chair of the Bleasdale board for the past 10 years, believes Hotker has displayed an unparalleled commitment to getting the wine right during his tenure at Bleasdale.

“During Paul’s career at Bleasdale, the winery has won many awards and trophies, including the 2018 Halliday Winemaker of the Year, the 2019 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, the 2018 Max Schubert Trophy, and the 2024 Halliday Winery of the Year," he said. 

"This is no easy feat, Paul and his team have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of our wines each and every year.”