Our Team
Our small but passionate winemaking team bring a mix of local and global winemaking expertise, comprising of:
Justin Coates
Winemaker
Justin started his wine making career at the Step Rd Winery in 2001. He worked as a cellar hand while studying winemaking at the Charles Sturt University. In 2004 he was appointed Assistant Winemaker and in 2006 was awarded “Members Choice Young Winemaker of the Year” by The Wine Society named as one of the country’s ‘top 10’ young winemakers. Justin took on the senior role as winemaker in 2009.
His winemaking philosophy is simple… to act as caretaker to the fruit; to understand and realise the full potential of the grapes which come into the winery and produce wines with structure, style and balance.
Stephen Pannell
Consultant Winemaker
Stephen’s extensive knowledge and experience has been garnered over many years working with some of Australia’s iconic wineries including Wirra Wirra, Hardy’s Tintara and BRL Hardy (where he was Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003) and alongside numerous overseas vintages at such places as Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D. Vajra in Barolo.
Other highlights in Stephen’s career include winning the title of International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London, winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, twice winning the Max Schubert Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show as well as being listed as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine.
