Our Winemakers

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.

Helen McCarthy ↓

DIRECTOR GLOBAL WINEMAKING

Craig Stansborough ↓

GROUP PREMIUM WINEMAKER

Viki Wade ↓

GROUP COMMERCIAL WINEMAKER

Ella Hoban ↓

GROUP SPARKLING WINEMAKER

Gerhard Swart ↓

HEAD WINEMAKER | SOUTH AFRICA

Dan Swincer ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | JACOB'S CREEK

Ignacio López ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | CAMPO VIEJO

Tim Pelquest-Hunt ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | ORLANDO

Chris Scott ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | CHURCH ROAD

Peter Munro ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | ST HUGO

Jamie Marfell ↓

CHIEF WINEMAKER | STONELEIGH

Courtney Treacher ↓

SENIOR WINEMAKER | WA & TAS

Cleighten Cornelius ↓

SENIOR WINEMAKER | NEW ZEALAND

Ben Thoman ↓

SENIOR WINEMAKER | PREMIUM SA

Andrew Brookes ↓

SENIOR WINEMAKER | COMMERCIAL

LEAD WINEMAKERS ↓

DIRECTOR GLOBAL WINEMAKING

HELEN MCCARTHY

Helen was born in England and moved with her family to Australia in 1988. In 1997 she took a leap of faith and enrolled in a winemaking degree at the University of Adelaide.   On completion of her degree, she set about gaining invaluable experience with wineries such as Lindemans, Wynns, Seppelts and Penfolds.

In 2003 Helen moved to the Clare Valley to pursue her love of Riesling at Taylors Wines. However, the call of the Barossa was too great, returning in 2011, working at Thorn-Clarke Wines and joining St Hallett as Senior Winemaker in 2019, before being promoted to the role of Director Global & ANZ Premium Winemaking in 2022.

Having been awarded The Gourmet Traveller Kemeny’s Medal for Young Winemaker of the Year in 2008 and was awarded People’s Choice Wine Society Young Winemaker of the year in both 2008 and 2018. Helen is also an experienced wine show judge and has participated in the Wine Industry Future Leaders program, as well as being a graduate of the esteemed Len Evans Tutorial.

GROUP PREMIUM WINEMAKER

CRAIG STANSBOROUGH

Born in Gawler on the edge of the Barossa Valley, Craig Stansborough has been surrounded by the wine industry his entire life. He began his career in 1983 as a cellar hand with B Seppelt & Son, working at both Château Tanunda and Seppeltsfield.

Craig joined Grant Burge Wines in 1993 as Cellar Manager and quickly rose through the ranks - becoming Assistant Winemaker in 1994, Winemaker in 1995, and Senior Winemaker in 1997. In 2019, he was appointed Group Premium Winemaker at Accolade Wines - a role he continues today under Vinarchy - where he is known for his exceptional skill, collaborative leadership, and enduring passion for Barossa winemaking.

GROUP COMMERCIAL WINEMAKER

VIKI WADE

Viki Wade has been an integral part of the Berri Estates team for over 27 years. She began her career in the laboratory, where she quickly developed a strong interest in winemaking. After completing three vintages and pursuing formal study, she graduated with a winemaking degree in 2003 and began specialising in the production of white and rosé wines.

In early 2015, Viki was appointed Brand Winemaker for the Hardys Core range, a role that took her to the UK and Europe and deepened her connection to global markets. Just a year later, in 2016, she was promoted to Senior Winemaker, leading a team of twelve and playing a key role in shaping the direction of the portfolio.

In July 2019, Viki was appointed Group Commercial Winemaker, a role she continues today under Vinarchy. She now oversees the commercial wine portfolio across the business, known for her deep technical knowledge, strong leadership, and commitment to quality at every scale.

GROUP SPARKLING WINEMAKER

ELLA HOBAN

Ella grew up surrounded by South Australia’s wine regions and starting out in a cellar door and then completing her first harvest at Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek while working through her winemaking degree at the University of Adelaide. Since graduating, Ella gained experience working vintages in California, Spain, Langhorne Creek and Adelaide Hills and has become an active member in the wine community though her contributions on the Adelaide Hills Wine Show Committee and participation in tasting groups focussed on elevating women in the wine industry.

Ella is now Group Winemaker Sparkling, working on the white and sparkling portfolios for Hardys, House of Arras, Yarra Burn, Petaluma, Grant Burge, Croser and Tintara.

HEAD WINEMAKER | SOUTH AFRICA

GERHARD SWART

Gerhard comes from a family of farmers in the Overberg region and a career in agriculture was a natural fit for him. He first joined us in 2007 to lead on bulk wine exports for our Kumala brand. With the acquisition of Flagstone Winery in February 2008, he itched to get his hands dirty in the cellar again, so he stepped into the vacancy of Winemaker and ever since contributed to the success of Flagstone Wines.

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 his true passion. Gerhard believes that making great wine needs total commitment and dedication and incredible attention to detail.

CHIEF WINEMAKER | 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, 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 | 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 - initially with Pernod Ricard and now continuing under Vinarchy - leading winemaking strategy and driving quality across the Spanish portfolio.

CHIEF WINEMAKER | ORLANDO

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. There, he merged his passion for winemaking with a desire to explore the world, becoming a “travelling winemaker.”

Tim has since held winemaking roles across New Zealand, Hunter Valley, Tasmania, and Germany, later specialising in sparkling vinification in the UK and US. In 2013, he returned to Australia to join Orlando in the Barossa Valley. 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.

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.

CHIEF 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.

CHIEF WINEMAKER | 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.

SENIOR WINEMAKER | WA & TAS

COURTNEY TREACHER

Travelling through wine regions on family vacations, combined with a keen sense of building a career with a difference, led Courtney to the decision in the latter years at secondary school that winemaking was for her. She has worked with fruit sourced from all the major viticultural regions of Western Australia, making some of WA’s most loved commercial wines through to the iconic Jack Mann.

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.

SENIOR WINEMAKER | NEW ZEALAND

CLEIGHTEN CORNELIUS

Cleighten completed his Bachelor in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University, before setting off to the northern hemisphere to work vintages in France (Chambolle-Musigny), Germany (Rheingau) and Cyprus. Returning to his hometown of Marlborough, with world-class experience under his belt, Cleighten joined the Mud House team in 2012. After a decade of winemaking, Cleighten’s core focus remains unchanged, “to make the best wine possible!” He believes learning is the key, both experimentally and from others.

Cleighten’s spirit of adventure is built around fishing, diving, exploring the outdoors, playing the guitar, cricket and watching sport.

SENIOR WINEMAKER | PREMIUM SA

BEN THOMAN

Ben is South Australian born and bred, though winemaking wasn’t his first career path. After a decade as an engineer and project manager, he followed his growing passion for wine - returning to study winemaking at the University of Adelaide in 2007. He gained hands-on experience through research-scale winemaking and a vintage in Germany’s Mosel Valley, where his love for Riesling deepened.

In 2011, Ben joined Pernod Ricard Wines as an Assistant Winemaker, rising to Chief Winemaker at Orlando Wines in 2022. Later that year, he was appointed Premium Senior Winemaker at Accolade Wines. With more than 15 years in the industry, Ben has developed expertise across a wide range of wine styles, including a sparkling winemaking stint in Napa. He also proudly represents Petaluma Wines as their Brand Ambassador.

SENIOR WINEMAKER | COMMERCIAL

ANDREW BROOKES

Andrew joined Accolade in 2011 as an Assistant White Winemaker at Berri Estates, where he was responsible for all white and rose fermentation. Upon completion of his B.A. of agricultural science “oenology’ he was elevated to winemaker. His operational excellence and winemaking prowess have seen him lead all white winemaking at Berri over the past couple of years, having recently also taken on the added responsibility of reds to his portfolio. Andrew generates an immediate repour and strong relationships with both consumers, trade and others in the industry, and he has been involved in many customer visits and tasting events over the years.

LEAD WINEMAKERS

Lead Winemaker | ST HALLETT

ANGUS SEABROOK

With a family wine history dating back to 1878, Angus was always surrounded by wine conversation. Its little wonder he entered the industry with an obsession for wine. A family of merchants, brokers and makers, Angus was encouraged to first discover wine from the ground up.

Completing multiple harvests in the Barossa drove Angus to seek greater knowledge and experiences in overseas locations such as USA, Portugal, Germany & Canada. This led Angus to complete a degree in Oenology at the University of Adelaide. While studying, Angus worked as a fine wine retail assistant at the famous Edinburgh Cellars, where he was exposed to the world’s greatest wines and winemakers. Angus has over 10 years’ experience making Barossa Valley wines.

In late 2020, Angus joined the Grant Burge winemaking team as the allure of crafting wines from far reaching sources was too much for him to resist the opportunity.

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.

She spent time working overseas at different wineries, seeing other ways of doing things and expanding her knowledge, before landing at Pernod Ricard Winemakers back home in Aotearoa.

Lead Winemaker | KATNOOK ESTATE

DANIEL McNICOL

Daniel started his career at the ripe age of 14, working in the vineyards around McLaren Vale. He was employed at Wirra Wirra in both the winery and vineyard for 8 years. During this time, Daniel discovered a love and passion for the industry and undertook his Winemaking degree at the University of Adelaide. In 2019, Daniel moved to the Coonawarra to take up the role of Assistant Winemaker at Katnook Estate, and in 2021 was promoted to winemaker.
,BR> Daniel thoroughly enjoys living and working in the Coonawarra, he has stated, “The wines here have purity, age-ability and regionality. I am thankful to be a part of a very supportive, collaborative, and easy-going community.”

When he is not making wine, you will find Daniel exploring all that the region has to offer, in particular 4WD tracks, camping and fishing spots.

Lead 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. When not immersed in winemaking, Stewart enjoys life in Tasmania with his wife and three children.

Lead Winemaker | YSIOS

CLARA CANALS

Born in Tarragona, Catalunya, but grown up in Logroño, Rioja, Clara has a wealth of experience in winemaking. After obtaining her Viticulture and Oenology Master from the University of Montpellier and having worked around the world in vintages in Spain, Argentina, South Africa and Australia, Clara returned home to Rioja to work in Campo Viejo in 2011.

After 8 successful years as a winemaker in this leading Rioja winery, she took charge of Ysios as Chief Winemaker in the 2019 vintage. She’s devoted to craft outstanding fine wines, made exclusively from hand -picked old -vine Tempranillo grapes, capitalising on the nuances that each block, soil type and micro -climate delivers.