Matt’s impressive tenures include vintages at Petaluma, Tyrells, Wynns, Richmond Grove, Chateauneuf de Pape, Languedoc-Roussillon. He’s also had winemaking roles at Leasingham, Yaldara, Penfolds, Austria (Burgenland), Yalumba, Cellarmaster and Seppeltsfield.

In every instance, the focus is on quality, creating wines that individually reflect their typicity of place and moment in time. 

As Matt says, “Great wines are made in the field.”

Matt believes that the winemaker’s role is to guide the fruit through the process and allow its natural individuality to be expressed and enhanced.  The focus should be on providing consistent care and attention, from budburst to bottle, grape to glass.

“As a winemaker, you are the custodian of final wine quality.”

Matt’s commitment is every step of the way, from the moment of harvest, throughout ferment, judicious maturation right through the bottling line, and cellaring and tasting the whole of its journey to make sure it is navigating the best path. 

Working with wonderful teams, growing brands, winning wine show trophies - all of those things are a buzz to Matt, but nothing has been as character building as taking the leap of faith, along with wife Fiona Donald, to own their own vineyard.

Matt believes the Barossa is simply the best place in the world to grow and make the red wine varieties that he loves to share, it has given them many career-defining moments, and their family has grown here.

The Barossa is now who they are.