LOUISA ROSEYalumba Chief Winemaker

Lou, Yalumba’s chief winemaker since 2006, wears many hats; award winner, wine judge, board member, natural leader. During her 20-year career at Yalumba, Louisa Rose has become one of the world’s most respected winemakers – forging an identity for Australian Viognier, challenging perceptions of Barossa Shiraz, leading her viti- and vinicultural teams to ever greater heights and giving up her nights, weekends and spare moments for the betterment of Australian wine.

In 2014 The Age named Lou Australia’s Best Winemaker, in 2008 she received the coveted Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year award and in 2004 the International Wine & Spirit Competition named her the winner of the Women in Wine award.

“Viognier ripens quite differently to most of the white varieties that we are used to…it is a combination of patience, risk management and prayer that finally see the flavours accumulate in the fruit.”

Wines: The Virgilius Viognier, Paradox Shiraz, Eden Valley Roussanne, Eden Valley Viognier, and all Pewsey Vale Rieslings.

JANE FERRARIWine Ambassador

There’s no fake or frippery with Ferrari – when she preaches the Yalumba gospel, you realise that she’s doing it because she’s passionate about the place. Her job title at Yalumba is multifaceted. She is a storyteller, a communicator, a brand ambassador, a legend. Her role brings to life the Yalumba story and our philosophies on viticulture, winemaking and the environment. In 2013 she was given Yalumba’s highest honour - Jane was named Signatory for Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2010.

Wine Communicators of Australia named Jane Ferrari its 2012 Wine Communicator of the Year for her long-term effort in the global promotion and education of not only Yalumba, but Australian wine in general.

“I love the Barossa. It is also home to the two other major influences in my life, Robert O’Callaghan of Rockford and Robert Hill-Smith of Yalumba. O’Callaghan taught me ‘straight to the heart’ marketing and the art of story-telling. Hill-Smith gave me the inspiration to fly.”

HEATHER FRASERYalumba / HSFV Winemaker

Heather started working in the Yalumba laboratory in 1999 and moved into the Yalumba Trainee Winemaker program the next year. It wasn’t long before Heather was working in the cellar in 2001, then production, completing her degree in 2003. The Role of Assistant Winemaker was the natural progression, and so in 2004 Heather was given the opportunity to research projects as well as the responsibility of the white 2 Litre varietals plus Hill-Smith family’s Oxford Landing Estate wines. Heather’s star has continued to rise and she has recently taken responsibility for the Organic collection, as well as all red wine production and international bulk sales.

Wines: Yalumba Organics, Ringbolt Cabernet, and FSW8B Wrattonbully Botrytis Viognier.

Women Who Love Wine,Who Make Wine

NATALIE CLEGHORNYalumba / HSFV Winemaker

Natalie Cleghorn personifies two of Yalumba’s greatest passions – wine and horse racing. A former track rider at the neighbouring Hayes family property Lindsay Park, Natalie joined Yalumba in 1999. Initially employed in the laboratory, Nat has enjoyed both commercial and artisan experience at the Hill Smith family’s estate vineyards, including Oxford Landing Estates and Dalrymple. A passion for premium handcrafted red wines has seen Nat develop a sense of patience and faith in the ability of great fruit to become outstanding wine.

“I find winemaking not dissimilar to the racing world – both involve the growing and handling of fine stock in the hope you can create something special and memorable.”

Wines: Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet, Y Series Cabernet, Y Series Merlot, Y Series Pinot Grigio, Y Series Sauvignon Blanc, Y Series Unwooded Chardonnay, and Y Series Viognier.

TERESA HEUZENROEDERYalumba / HSFV Winemaker

Teresa’s progression from microbiologist to winemaker was inevitable. Teresa completed her winemaking studies in 2000, graduating from Charles Sturt University while gaining practical experience in the cellar and laboratory at the same time. From there, she took on the challenge of winemaker for the inaugural vintage at the Hill-Smith family’s Oxford Landing Winery, where she successfully managed the making of both the white and red wines. In 2008, Teresa accepted the challenge of becoming the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards Sparkling and Chardonnay Winemaker, the role she continues today.

“I have always felt a great affinity for white wine – both in the vineyard and in the glass. It’s where my passion is, so I feel very at home making the wines from Hill-Smith Estate.”

Wines: Hill-Smith Estate Wines, Heggies Vineyard Wines

VIRGINIA WILLCOCKVasse Felix Chief Winemaker

Virginia is the Chief Winemaker behind some of Australia’s most critically acclaimed wines, at Margaret River’s founding wine estate, Vasse Felix. She joined as Chief Winemaker in October, 2006. Virginia is one of the most awarded female winemakers in Australia, having been named ‘Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Winemaker of the year’ in 2013 and ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by the West Australian Good Wine Guide 2013. Virginia was also nominated as ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in Wine Enthusiast Magazine USA’s 2014 Wine Star Awards. Virginia was one of five international nominees for the coveted award, and the only representative from Australia.

“Make the wines you love to drink. As winemakers we scour the world to find those rare and precious wines we will most love.”

Women Who Love Wine,Who Make Wine

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