“Walk your vineyard, understand your soil and your site, be aware of strategic decisions that need to be made, seek out the best advice and make those decisions,” says Fiona.

Her philosophy is simple – to respect what the vintage and site give you, respect and support the fruit, seek balance and interest, and essentials like regular tasting, analysis, trials, and of course, strict hygiene. 

This approach proved successful right from the beginning.  As a young winemaker at Barossa Valley Estate, Fiona’s 1996 E&E Shiraz made the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 10.

Fiona now heads up winemaking at the Seppeltsfield Winery. Over the last decade, Fiona has enjoyed being part of the team resurrecting the Seppeltsfield Gravity Cellar, maintaining the fortified collection, and developing the new table wine portfolio. She also has the satisfying task of giving a fresh take on Grenache from the Great Terraced vineyard.

“It’s hard not to get excited with the anticipation of each new season!” says Fiona.

30 years of career-defining moments have made Barossa home. For Fiona, it’s the grape quality, the history, the community, the perfect environment to bring up a family that have kept her firmly in Barossa.