Winemaking philosophy: Let the grapes tell their story.
“SubRosa is our chance to make wines our way.”
We started SubRosa because we wanted to be fully responsible for the quality of the wine you drink. At every step we set a high bar, challenging ourselves to do better and make better every vintage.
The quality of the wine is dependant upon the decisions we make. We tap into our intuition, learnt from decades of experience, working harvests in top wine regions all over the globe. We don’t stop learning. Nature has a habit of keeping us on our toes. As it changes year to year, so do we. You won’t find the same, same from us.
And we take our family’s reputation seriously. Only when the grape quality meets our high standards do we consider making it into wine. If we don’t want to drink it, why should you?
What 40 vintages in the wine industry has taught me.
I learn something new every vintage. After more than 26 years working in vineyards and wineries, I work by these guiding principles.
1. It all begins in the vineyard. A healthy vineyard is essential.
2. Tasting hundreds of grapes a day during growing season I look for texture. This is the key to a great wine. Data is just a guide.
3. Minimal intervention is only possible when you’ve done the work in the vineyard.
4. Be gentle on the grapes. Hand pick. Plunge ferments by hand, basket press and let wine rest in oak. Be patient.
5. French oak works best with Grampians fruit. New oak should be used sparingly. Don’t mask the fruit.
6. Only make a wine if the quality of the grapes meet our standards. I’m not going to waste my time (or our money) with average grapes.
7. Clean everything, then clean it again. And clean again.
8. Never stop learning.
My wine journey, from the Grampians and back again.
2013 – today
SubRosa, Grampians and Pyrenees
Owner & Winemaker
2016 – today
Mt Langi Ghiran, Grampians
Chief Winemaker
2015
Kinsman Consulting, Napa Valley (USA)
2012 – 2014
Mount Cole Wineworks, Grampians (owned by Dr. Graeme Bertuch)
2011 – 2014
Araujo Estate, Napa Valley (USA) (acquired by Château Latour in 2013)
2005 – 2009
Château Carsin, Bordeaux (France)
2008 – 2009
Pierro, Margaret River
2006 – 2008
Xanadu, Margaret River
2001
Chimney Rock, Napa Valley (USA)
1998 – 2006
Mount Langi Ghiran, Grampians
Worked directly under Trevor Mast, and later, Dan Buckle.
1995 – 1998
Best’s, Great Western
Cellar work during school holidays