Mike Hayes

Australian Society of Viticulturists and Oeonologists

2017 AUSTRALIAN WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR

Mike Hayes is third generation viticulturalist and winemaker. He has made wines on the Granite Belt and in various wine regions around Australia and New Zealand for over 30 years. Mike is known for his passion for integrating viticultural and winemaking techniques. His passion for wine has no bounds with a special place in his heart for the “heart break” grape, pinot noir.

Mike Hayes was born on the 21st of May 1964 at Stanthorpe hospital. The youngest of 9 children and a 3rd generation Ballandean-ite. Mike left school in 1979 and started in the wine industry on a chipping hoe for 7 months in a vineyard. Mike has worked in 16 regions, 4 states and 2 countries in the wine industry and he has been involved with all aspects of the industry including winemaking, viticulture, lecturing, wine marketing, import and export, retail, promotions and consulting. Mike started his consulting business 18 years ago and has designed over 90 vineyards in QLD and NSW.

Mike’s proudest achievements have been making our Reserve Shiraz which has won top gold at both Sydney and Melbourne Royal Wine shows. The wine was finalist for Best Shiraz Trophy and Best Single Vineyard Wine Trophy at 2011 Royal Melbourne. Mike has been with the company since day 1 when he planted the vines and is an important ingredient for our success. When making wine, he blends old world techniques and traditions with new world state of the art technology. His invaluable experience in growing winegrapes in our unique climate is essential to producing the best fruit, in order to make the best wine. Mike shares our firm belief that great wine is made in the vineyard.

In 2012 Mike was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research alternative varieties in Europe that would suit Granite Belt conditions. He also completed a Masters in Professional Studies specialising in Viticulture and a WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Advanced Level 3 Certificate in Wine Education which qualifies him world wide to teach about wine to sommeliers. Mike heads up our contract winemaking arm which has resulted in 15 trophies, 19 gold (over 11 varieties), 27 silver and over 70 bronze medals over the last 12 months.