Vinarchy has some of the most highly awarded winemakers at its helm who have excelled in their field for many decades. Worldly experience, attention to detail, passion and commitment combine to ensure all our wines – from everyday drinking to the very best wines in the world – are treated with care and respect.
It is through our winemakers that we can bring you our exceptional portfolio of breadth and depth with styles for every occasion.
Dan Swincer ↓
CHIEF WINEMAKER | JACOB'S CREEK
Jamie Marfell ↓
CHIEF WINEMAKER | STONELEIGH
Ella Hoban ↓
GROUP WINEMAKER | HARDYs
Ignacio López ↓
CHIEF WINEMAKER | CAMPO VIEJO
Allira Lord ↓
SENIOR WINEMAKER | PETALUMA
Tim Pelquest-Hunt ↓
CHIEF WINEMAKER | GRANT BURGE
Jessey McGowen ↓
LEAD WINEMAKER | ST HALLETT
Gerhard Swart ↓
HEAD WINEMAKER | FLAGSTONE
Chris Scott ↓
CHIEF WINEMAKER | CHURCH ROAD
Peter Munro ↓
GROUP WINEMAKER | ST HUGO
Courtney Treacher ↓
SENIOR WINEMAKER | HOUGHTON
Dan McNicol ↓
SENIOR WINEMAKER | KATNOOK ESTATE
Laura-Kate Morgan ↓
LEAD WINEMAKER | BRANCOTT ESTATE
Stewart Byrne ↓
SENIOR WINEMAKER | BAY OF FIRES
Clara Canals ↓
SENIOR WINEMAKER | YSIOS
CHIEF WINEMAKER AUSTRALIA | JACOB'S CREEK
DAN SWINCER
Dan Swincer joined the Gramp & Sons winemaking team in the Barossa in 2006, where his talent for crafting expressive, high-quality wines quickly set him apart. With a deep respect for traditional techniques and a passion for innovation, Dan brings a thoughtful, modern approach to every vintage.
Appointed Chief Winemaker of Jacob’s Creek in 2018 and Chief Winemaker Australia in 2025, Dan leads the winemaking vision with a focus on authenticity, sustainability, and global appeal. Under his guidance, the portfolio continues to evolve - showcasing the regional diversity of South Australia while upholding the brand’s legacy of quality and distinctive style. Dan’s commitment to excellence and creativity ensures Jacob’s Creek remains one of Australia’s most internationally recognised and celebrated wine brands.
CHIEF WINEMAKER NEW ZEALAND | STONELEIGH
JAMIE MARFELL
Winemaking was an inevitable career choice for Jamie who grew up on a farm overlooking a valley of grapevines in Marlborough and whose holiday employment was usually spent planting or pruning vines, depending on the season.
Following the completion of a degree in agricultural science and a postgraduate diploma in viticulture and oenology at Lincoln University, New Zealand, Jamie began his career as a trainee winemaker with Pernod Ricard in 1990. Since 2002 Jamie has concentrated on crafting the Stoneleigh range of wines. Jamie is available for market visits, events and virtual tastings.
GROUP WINEMAKER | HARDYs
ELLA HOBAN
Ella grew up surrounded by South Australia’s wine regions. She started out in a cellar door before completing her first harvest at Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, while working through her winemaking degree at the University of Adelaide.
Since graduating, Ella has gained experience working vintages in California, Spain, Langhorne Creek and the Adelaide Hills. She has also become an active member of the wine community through her work with the Adelaide Hills Wine Show Committee and Wine Biddies, a networking program for young women in winemaking.
With a deep passion for sparkling wine and a genuine love of Australian winemaking, Ella brings technical expertise, energy and perspective to her role as Winemaker and Ambassador for Hardys. She was named People’s Choice winner at the 2026 Young Gun of Wine Awards, recognising her talent, leadership and contribution to the next generation of Australian wine
CHIEF WINEMAKER | CAMPO VIEJO
IGNACIO LÓPEZ
Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Ignacio López studied Oenology before beginning his career as a winery operator and assistant winemaker. He joined Pernod Ricard Argentina in 2004, later becoming Chief Winemaker for Etchart Cafayate Wines and Graffigna.
With experience across vintages in California and the Barossa, Ignacio brings a global perspective and a passion for innovation. In 2021, he moved to Spain to manage Bodegas Campo Viejo and AGE, overseeing winemaking operations and laboratory functions.
Since 2023, he has held the role of Chief Winemaker in Spain, leading winemaking strategy and driving quality across the Spanish portfolio.
SENIOR WINEMAKER | PETALUMA
ALLIRA LORD
Born in Adelaide, Allira has some of the world’ s best wine regions right on her doorstep. Her love of chemistry, problem solving and environmental science led her to the University of Adelaide’s Oenology department, where she found a natural fit in winemaking.
As a young graduate, Allira followed the path of a travelling winemaker. Her hands-on experience took her to France, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United Kingdom, giving her access to different regions, styles and winemaking philosophies.
Now home in South Australia, Allira is focused on crafting thoughtful wines with a clear sense of place, vision and story.
Allira brings knowledge, perspective and a thoughtful approach to her role as Winemaker and Ambassador for Petaluma, honouring the brand’s cool-climate heritage and reputation for expressive, site-driven wines.
CHIEF WINEMAKER | GRANT BURGE
TIM PELQUEST-HUNT
Tim Pelquest-Hunt’s wine journey began when a Fine Wine Manager handed him a glass and asked what he could smell and taste - revealing a natural talent that set him on a new path. He rose to become Fine Wine Manager himself while completing his studies, before enrolling in the Viticulture and Oenology program at Lincoln University in New Zealand. Tim has since held winemaking roles across New Zealand, Hunter Valley, Tasmania, and Germany, later specialising in sparkling vinification in the UK and US.
A dux of the Australian Wine Research Institute’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course, he is also a respected wine show judge, Chair of the Barossa Wine Show committee, and 2022 scholar of the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial.
He now brings this global experience and depth of expertise to his role as winemaker and ambassador for Grant Burge, championing a brand defined by its Barossa heritage, longstanding reputation, and commitment to premium winemaking.
LEAD WINEMAKER | ST HALLETT
JESSEY McGOWEN
Jessey made the Barossa her home in 2018, after completing a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide.
Starting her career as a Graduate Winemaker, Jessey built a strong understanding of the broader wine business. She quickly moved to an Assistant Winemaker role in 2019, before becoming Winemaker in 2022.
Jessie finds joy in crafting Barossa wines and feels inspired by the region’s history and distinctiveness. This shines through in her role as Winemaker and Ambassador for St Hallett, a brand, known for its rich Barossa heritage and enduring reputation for bold, expressive Shiraz.
HEAD WINEMAKER | FLAGSTONE
GERHARD SWART
Gerhard comes from a family of farmers in the Overberg region, soa career in agriculture was a natural fit. He first joined the business in 2007, leading on bulk wine exports. When Flagstone Winery was added to the portfolio in February 2008, Gerhard itched to get his hands dirty in the cellar again, so he stepped into the role of Winemaker and has contributed to the success of Flagstone Wines ever since
In 2014, Gerhard became the Head Winemaker of the South African portfolio, overseeing the quality of all the South African-produced wines.
Making world-class Flagstone wines remains Gerhard’s true passion. He believes that making great wine needs total commitment, dedication and incredible attention to detail.
GROUP WINEMAKER | ST HUGO
PETER MUNRO
Appointed as Chief Winemaker of St Hugo in March 2019, Peter is responsible for the style and quality of the award-winning St Hugo collection of wines, wines which are respected by critics and loved by consumers for their integrity, power and elegance.
With a background in chemistry and over 25-years of experience gained in some of the world’s most renowned wine regions including the Barossa Valley, Tasmania, Hawke’s Bay and Napa Valley, Peter is passionate about continuing to craft wines that grow international recognition for their exceptional quality and distinctive style and specialises in our crafting red and fortified wines in our portfolio and leading the winemaking for our esteemed St Hugo brand.
CHIEF WINEMAKER | CHURCH ROAD
CHRIS SCOTT
A passion for wine led Chris Scott to Hawke’s Bay, where he began his career at Church Road Winery in 1995, working weekends and summers in the vineyards and at the cellar door. In 1998, he joined the team full-time as a cellar hand while completing a degree in wine science.
Appointed Chief Winemaker in 2005, Chris has led the Church Road portfolio with a philosophy grounded in traditional techniques that enhance the natural depth and texture of Hawke’s Bay fruit. His refined approach has produced award-winning wines that reflect both place and craftsmanship.
One of New Zealand’s most celebrated winemakers, Chris has been named Winestate Magazine’s New Zealand Winemaker of the Year five times (2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023), and also earned titles from the New Zealand International Wine Show and Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. He was listed in Drinks Business Top 100 Master Winemakers in 2023 and again in 2024.
SENIOR WINEMAKER | HOUGHTON
COURTNEY TREACHER
Travelling through wine regions on family vacations helped spark Courtney’s keen interest in wine. By her final years of secondary school, she knew winemaking was the career she wanted to pursue.
Courtney has worked with fruit sourced from all the major viticultural regions of Western Australia, and has had a hand in crafting some of WA’s most beloved wines.
Courtney has also been involved in wine show judging at several capital city wine shows and was a scholar at the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2011.
She now brings this depth of experience to her role as Winemaker and Ambassador for Houghton, contributing to a brand with over 180 years of history and a proud reputation as one of Western Australia’s most iconic and enduring wine brands.
SENIOR WINEMAKER | KATNOOK ESTATE
DANIEL McNICOL
Daniel started his career at the ripe age of 14, working in the vineyards around McLaren Vale. He went on to spend eight years working across winery and vineyard roles, building hands-on experience and a strong understanding of the wine industry. During this time, Daniel completed his winemaking degree at the University of Adelaide.
In 2019, Daniel moved to Coonawarra to take up the role of Assistant Winemaker at Katnook Estate. He was promoted to Winemaker in 2021.
Daniel thoroughly enjoys living and working in Coonawarra, and values the region’s supportive and collaborative wine community. He brings his hands-on experience and deep connection to the region to his role as Winemaker and Ambassador for Katnook Estate, a brand known for its regional character and classic Cabernet Sauvignon.
SENIOR WINEMAKER | BAY OF FIRES
STEWART BYRNE
Stewart, a Tasmanian native with a background in Earth Science, began his wine journey studying rocks and soils before becoming a Vineyard and Winery Assistant at Stefano Lubiana Wines. His career has taken him through vintages in Margaret River, Oregon, and back to Tasmania with Eddystone Point and Bay of Fires Wines. He holds dual degrees in Oenology, Viticulture, and Wine Agribusiness, and was awarded the Leeuwin-Talijancich Award for Dux of his university program.
Following a key role at Stella Bella Wines with a focus on Chardonnay, Stewart spent seven years as Winemaker at Josef Chromy Wines before returning to Eddystone Point and Bay of Fires in 2018. Passionate about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he is also an active wine-show judge.
Stewart brings a depth of experience and cool-climate focus to his role as Winemaker and Ambassador for Bay of Fires, representing a brand synonymous with Tasmania’s premium reputation and renowned for its refined, expressive wines.
LEAD WINEMAKER | BRANCOTT ESTATE
LAURA-KATE MORGAN
Laura-Kate comes from wine country - Marlborough to be exact, where her parents had a small farm. She and her siblings watched as their parents established their own vineyard, and in no time it was a passion for Laura-Kate as she became involved in the pressing and fermenting - one that led her to Lincoln University in Canterbury, where she studied viticulture and oenology.
Laura-Kate spent time working overseas at different wineries, seeing other ways of doing things and expanding her knowledge.
She now plays a key leadership role across our New Zealand winery operations, guiding teams and shaping the future of winemaking in the region. As winemaker and ambassador for Brancott Estate, she brings her deep Marlborough roots and global experience to a brand known for its pioneering spirit and enduring influence on New Zealand wine.
SENIOR WINEMAKER | YSIOS
CLARA CANALS
Born in Tarragona, Catalunya, and raised in Logroño, Rioja, Clara has a wealth of experience in winemaking. After completing a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Montpellier, she worked vintages around the world in Spain, Argentina, South Africa and Australia.
Clara returned home to Rioja in 2011 to work with Campo Viejo. After eight successful years as a winemaker in this leading Rioja winery, she took charge of Ysios as Chief Winemaker for the 2019 vintage.
Clara is devoted to crafting outstanding fine wines for Ysios, made exclusively from hand-picked, old-vine Tempranillo grapes. Her approach focuses on capturing the nuances of each block, soil type and microclimate.