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 …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Dan Falkenberg
Falkenberg Vineyard
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I am a third generation Barossa vigneron and have been involved in the wine industry all my life. I have a family vineyard in Barossa and have worked for private and corporate wine companies both in Barossa and Eden Valley. Currently I am the Viticulturist for Eden Hall Wines. 2. What …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Anton Groffen
Ashton Hills Vineyard
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? After starting in the industry operating a post knocker in McLaren Vale in the 90’s doing vineyard developments, I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled, worked or studied in most Australian wine regions since then. After a lengthy and enjoyable stint on the Shaky Islands to our east, my wife, son, …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Rae Clark
Macvale Vineyards
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have fond memories as a child in winter school holidays jumping ahead in the vine rows and creating “fairy spots” for my parents by pruning a panel or two for them. I officially started in the wine industry in the early 90’s at Padthaway, moved on to Mt Benson and …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Sally MacLeod
MacLeod Vineyards
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been involved in grape growing for about 35 years. After studying Agricultural Science, I worked as a research officer with a large multinational chemical company for 8 years. Some of the work was in vineyards evaluating new chemistry for fungal disease and insect control – this was my first …
Meet the National EcoGrowers 2023 to 2025
Simon Tolley
Tolley Viticulture
Tell us in a few sentences about your experience as a viticulturist, how did you arrive here? We have a vineyard management/contracting /consulting business in the Adelaide Hills. I have been a qualified viticulturist since 1998, started Tolley Viticulture in 2008 and our wine business in 2015. Since then, we have established a cellar door & accommodation business. Why did …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Dave Boyd
Patrick of Coonawarra
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been managing the Vineyards for Patrick Of Coonawarra for the last 5 years, prior to that the roles which I held have been more Corporate or engineering type of roles. Through various work situations and other learnings, I am very keen to reduce the amount of human intervention, and …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Hans Loder
Penley Estate
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I grew up around viticulture as my father was a viticulture consultant and founding viticulture lecturer at the former Riverina College of Advanced Education. This upbringing led me to study both Geology and Viticulture at university and I now have over 10 years experience in Vineyard Management. I have always pursued …










