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."

A new role for one of the busiest men in the wine industry

 

Mitchell Taylor, one of the busiest men in the wine industry, has taken on yet another role. 

Taylor is the new chairman of the peak regional association for the Clare Valley wine industry, Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association (CVWGA). 

The Taylors Wines managing director and winemaker, and key mover in the Australia's First Families of Wine group, is the first Chair appointee who is a member of the Association since the amalgamation of the Clare Valley Winemakers Incorporated and Clare Region Winegrape Growers Association in 2018. 

This appointment "signifies the board’s priority for a local leader with strong ties to the national wine industry, which will provide confidence to members during a challenging era for the Australian wine industry" - a press release tells me. 

Taylor brings proven experience to the role, including two consecutive board memberships with Wine Australia, and as a director of the Drinks Association, as well as being past chairman of Australia’s First Families of Wine. 

“I’m honoured to be taking on the role of chairman for the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association, and I thank the board for their trust in me during what is a noticeably difficult time for both the region and the greater wine industry,” Taylor said.

“We’ve just come off our lowest vintage crush in over two decades, and global trade and financial pressures continue to stress the industry’s supply chain. 

"But Clare has a long and celebrated history of resilience and innovation on its side to carry us through. I am eager to collaborate with my regional colleagues to promote the Clare Valley as one of Australia’s premier wine regions in the world - for both our wine and world-class experiences."

Taylor’s role as chairman is effective from 1st September. He will work alongside the CVWGA Board, which includes Ali Paulett (Paulett Wines), Grant Carr (Braeside Vineyards), Penny Lion (Bourke & Travers), Hilary Mitchell (Mitchell Wines), Annette Hovey (Independent Board Member), Matt Schultz (Taylors Wines), and Olivia Hoffmann Barry (Jim Barry Wines).