After I completed a Bachelor of Science in Macquarie Uni, I headed to South Australia to complete my post-graduate studies of Oenology at Roseworthy Campus in 1999. I spent a lot of time at Roseworthy developing my talent for sculling beer out a jug while listening to the band Jellybean Jams at the uni bar. After graduation, I then headed home to complete my first vintage as winemaker, using the grapes planted and grown on our family vineyard. It was a challenging and proud moment in my life to come full circle and make the best wines out of the vines our family had spent many days planting together.

In 2004, I was selected as a scholar for the Len Evans Tutorial. Known throughout the world as the most exclusive wine school, the Len Evan Tutorial’s aim is to equip scholars with the tools and skills to evolve the quality of Australian wines, in terms of both style and technical attributes, and to give them the confidence to broadcast the incredible quality of Australian wine both locally and abroad.

From the Len Evans Tutorial experience, I’ve been privileged to be a judge, panel chair and chair of judges both nationally and internationally. These shows include NSW Small Winemaker’s Show, Sydney Royal Wine Show, Hunter Wine Show, NSW Wine Awards, Rutherglen Wine Show and Australian and NZ Wine Awards. This exposure to examining the best wines my peers make and to critically examine different approaches to winemaking has helped me develop a greater respect for the innovation of Australian wine. It’s also honed my focus into making my own wines showcasing a distinct sense of place and respect the uniqueness of the Hunter Valley.

The Lovedale Road property was purchased by Joss and Anna De Iuliis in 1987 and the first vines were planted in the early 90’s including chardonnay, semillon, verdelho, merlot, and shiraz. The first vintage of this fruit was in 1992, where a small amount of semillon and chardonnay was picked (and later drunk) by the family and friends.

It was later on, that the potential for alternate varieties where realised and touriga was planted in 2010. We were the first in the Hunter to do so, and now produces our iconic and multiple trophy winning LDR Vineyard Shiraz Touriga. We have since planted montepulciano on this vineyard too. 

Presently we have an average yearly crush of approximately 100 tonnes from the 15 hectares of the LDR vineyard. The low yield results in very concentrated fruit, which, in turn, produces wine with exceptional flavour.

Located directly across from the Hunter Valley Gardens on the hill behind the dam, this iconic vineyard provides a stunning backdrop from Hunter Valley visitors. This vineyard was planted in 1968 by Penfolds and the soil is rich and volcanic. We were buying the exceptional quality fruit to make our Charlie Shiraz (named after Mike’s grandfather) from 2005 onwards, and leased the vineyard from 2009 until we purchased this vineyard from the Roche family in 2013.

Using regenerative viticulture the vineyard has been revitalised and we are able to pick quality semillon, chardonnay, shiraz and pecorino each year.

Only Shiraz is planted in clay soils on Talga Road in Lovedale, located about 11 kms from the winery and cellar door. The soil on Talga Road is mineral rich and naturally allows better for water retention. These vines consistently producing full bodied Hunter Shiraz that has incredible depth of colour and flavour.