Today is International Women’s Day and today we are celebrating our wonderful Assistant Winemaker, Anna.
How did you get into the wine business?
After a 17-year career in Financial Services Marketing in New Zealand and the UK and after the birth of my two children, I had a bit of a ‘is there more’ moment (some might call that a mid-life crisis). Having grown up in Hawke’s Bay around wine growing, and dabbling in an elective paper at University when I was completing my Business Degree, and a fortuitous move back to New Zealand at the end of 2019; I decided it was the right time for a career change, so I completed a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT in 2020 (amongst the Pandemic), and then was fortunate to secure an intern position with Trinity Hill for my inaugural 2021 Vintage.
What do you love about working in wine?
I love being a part of the evolution from grape to bottle; feeling the anticipation of impending harvest, being out amongst the vines and checking in on their progress throughout the growing season. The excitement and rush of harvest, and then care-taking these beautiful ferments and watching them blossom into gorgeous wines of distinction – it’s a real labour of love, and one that I take great pride and satisfaction from.
What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a career in wine?
Go for it! Certainly, it’d be lovely to have more women winemakers.
I think some of the skills that women can bring to winemaking such as attention to detail, organisation and nurturing abilities are highly sought after and can make a real impact to the dynamics and strengths of a wine-making team.
If you weren’t a winemaker, what would you be doing?
As a second career, I don’t think I’ll be making any more career changes; however with my marketing background and my love of writing, I’d probably either work in the wine marketing side of things, or become a wine-writer / wine critic.
What is your future aim as a winemaker?
I’ve still got so much to learn, and experience, so I’m not fixed on the specifics of my future aim as a winemaker. But, I guess at a basic level – I just want to make delicious wine that people will admire, and derive great enjoyment from.
What is your can’t-fail food and wine pairing?
I’m a good Kiwi lass at heart, so a Roast Lamb with all the trimmings paired with a Syrah (TH Gimblett Gravels or for extra special occasions, Homage) is sublime!
Favourite wine you have made?
As 2021 was my first vintage, I’d have to say the most satisfying is probably the yet-to-be released 2021 Homage Syrah. Having being involved from sampling the Syrah prior to harvest, to pressing and fermentation, and then being a part of managing the evolution from barrel to bottling over a two year period, including every touch point from racking, to topping, to helping select the final blend, to preparing for bottling – it was a huge learning process, but also immensely creative and learning to trust my intuition. What’s really satisfying is to now see reviews coming in for this wine, that are calling this Homage, one of the best yet.
