Two Macedon Ranges wine producers have made it on to the Young Gun of Wine’s 2018 list of the top 50 Australian winemakers.
Liam O’Brien and Matthew Brooke named their brand ‘Athletes of Wine’ after the tough training regime they subjected themselves to for 13 years, ever since they worked together as bartenders, in order to make it in the wine world.
Mr O’Brien said they had endeavoured to quickly become sommeliers by studying full-time and training their bodies to perform as elite tasters.
“We needed to go from rookie to MVP as quickly as possible,” he said. “So we undertook a rigorous training regime – tasting and learning about wine seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.”
Inspired to produced their own wine, the pair leased a vineyard in South Gisborne, where they worked before and after their shifts at a Melbourne function venue.
They now lease a larger chardonnay vineyard in Romsey and have their wine made in Werribee.
Their wine, including a ‘Vinero’ Hesket pinot noir, has been sold at a range of local venues, including Banks Fine Wine in Kyneton, Woodend Wine Store and at Baringo in New Gisborne.
“We’re pretty excited,” Mr O’Brien said. “It’s a good opportunity to get our name out there.”
Young Gun of Wine will announce its top 12 national finalists later this month.
