The talented Sarah Fagan has been appointed as the new chief winemaker at Tarrawarra Estate in the Yarra Valley.
Fagan, who has spent almost two decades working with Steve Webber and the DeBortoli Yarra Valley team, starts her new role next week.
Back when I first started writing about wine, Rob and Judy Hirst from Fine Wine Partners invited me to the launch of a new wine label owned by clothing industry icons Marc and Eva Besen.
That was back in the mid 1980s. Since then Tarrawarra has added a top-notch restaurant, a museum of modern art and become recognised as one of the standouts in the Yarra.
Fagan, whose family have their own vineyard in Cowra, joined De Bortoli Yarra Valley as a casual vintage worker in 2003 and progressed through the ranks to her most recent role as senior winemaker.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey at De Bortoli and I am proud of the wines we have made
over my time of working with their vineyards," she said.
"Tarrawarra Estate has always carved its own independent path here in the Yarra Valley and I look forward to continuing this tradition and embracing change and the development of Tarrawarra Estate into the future.”
The Besen family say their philosophy has always been rooted in respect for excellence, provenance, and sustainability, with the vision to "produce wines of great quality and integrity, amidst a location of beauty and welcome".
Fagan will be responsible for all aspects of Tarrawarra Estate winemaking and winery operations.
An experienced wine judge, she has studied cool-climate winemaking in regions all over the world.
“We are absolutely delighted that Sarah has chosen the Tarrawarra Estate role as the opportunity to
spread her wings," said Tarrawarra Estate general manager Samantha Isherwood.
"We welcome her to the production team and look forward to seeing her personal stamp on future Tarrawarra Estate vintages.”
All of TarraWarra Estate’s wines are grown, handpicked, vinified and aged on the estate. See tarrawarra.com.au
