Following a misspent youth I completed a BSc in Organic Chemistry and Pharmacology and took off to travel the world, returning broke and in need of a job, I snagged a vintage at Tatachilla in McLaren Vale. Working with the most talented ratbags of the Vale, I developed a love of the winemaking lifestyle (or what I thought it was)… work hard and party hard.

The Science degree came in handy and I was able to complete a Graduate Diploma in Oenology at the Waite University while working Fridays at Tatachilla, earning the moniker ‘Boy Friday’ - turning up each Friday in time to do some work and then enjoy the weekly BBQ. Two vintages at Tatachilla was followed by a jaunt in the Napa, where I was lucky enough to work at Kendall Jackson’s crown jewel, Cardinale Estate, making ultra-premium Bordeaux based varieties.

Before returning home I secured a job at Knappstein in the Clare Valley, where I worked for two years before moving to O’Leary Walker Wines (also Clare) and stayed there for 6 years. While at O’Leary Walker I was able to complete vintages in Burgundy and Austria. At the end of 2011 I moved to McLaren Vale and Coriole, where I became Senior Winemaker in 2012 and remained until late 2017. Involved in this right from my Tatachilla days, my girlfriend became my wife, and two kids ensued.