1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? After a career in the finance sector in Sydney, I returned to my horticultural roots in SA and planted my first vineyard in 1998. Since then, I have planted or renovated more than 300 hectares and overseen the management of 6 different vineyards simultaneously with a total area of 480 hectares …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Kerri Thompson
Skillogalee Wines/Wines by KT
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I’ve been living, working & making wine on Ngadjuri land in the Clare Valley now for 22 years and prior to that my experience in wine growing took me to Italy, France & McLaren Vale in both vineyards and wineries. As a former Clare Valley vineyard owner and Manager of Leasingham …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Bec Willson
Bremerton Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? From my early teens I grew up in Langhorne Creek surrounded by vineyards. My parents established Bremerton Wines in 1988 and my studies in the industry started at Roseworthy in 1991. 30 years later I’m still learning! Our grape growing journey has constantly evolved with changes in approach to canopy management, …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Geoff Hardy
K1 Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been involved in grape growing since 1978, including consulting to and owning vineyards in McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Langhorne Creek, and the Limestone Coast. Our Adelaide Hills vineyard ‘K1’ was the first significant planting in the Kuitpo region and currently has a large variety of grapevine varieties. 2. What …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Dale and Lisa Wenzel
Glenrowan Vineyards
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? Dale is 3rd generation grape grower on Glenrowan Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, 5km South of the township. It is approx. 70 Ha of majority wine grapes and a few small grazing/cropping paddocks. Half of the Vineyards is on the floodplains of the River Bremer and the remaining has a range of …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Tim Follett
Lake Breeze Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have grown up on the family vineyard and started managing it 20 years ago. 2. What prompted you to want to be involved in the EcoVineyards project? Over the years I have noticed a steady decline in soil health which in turn lowered the number of health thriving plants and …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Andre Bondar
Bondar Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I’ve been a winemaker since 2008, prior to that I was in the cellar. It was during this time that really began to look closer at grape growing and how to improve the final product. In the winery setting it is about working closely with the viticulture team to achieve …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Peter Freckleton
Frecks Vineyard
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I established a vineyard on my property (previously used to grow prime lambs) in 1996, a time when many other people were becoming involved in grape growing. To learn more about the industry I got a job at Yalumba across the road. My intention was to work there for a short …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Mark Groat
Grosset Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been in the industry for 20 years. After completing a degree in Viticulture at CSU (Wagga Wagga) I spent a few years working at Seppelts Great Western, Victoria. I then moved to Margaret River, WA where I was the Vineyard Manager for Lenton Brae and Deep Woods Estate. I …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Sarah Keough
Bleasdale
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been involved in the wine grape growing industry, for the past 28 years and I’m currently employed by Bleasdale Vineyards. In the 90’s and even into the early 00’s insecticides such as Chlorpyrifos was sprayed on a regular basis to control LBAM and other pests. I have seen a …