GENDER diversity campaigners regularly complain about the wine industry's poor level of female participation, estimated at 38 per cent with women holding about 10 per cent of senior positions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
In the Hunter, there are great female glass ceiling-breakers like Liz Silkman of First Creek and Gwyn Olsen of the Davis Wine Group, and viticulturists Liz Riley and Katrina Barry.
Gwyn and Liz Silkman are chief winemakers for their respective companies; Liz Riley, the 2017 Australian Viticulturist of the Year, is owner of the Vitibit consultancy and Katrina is manager of Brokenwood Hunter vineyards.
Now we can add to the role models' list Xanthe Hatcher, 35, who has just been appointed chief winemaker for the Agnew Wines group and its Audrey Wilkinson, Poole's Rock and Cockfighter's Ghost brands.
She will take up her new post from Jeff Byrne on July 1, when he begins an exciting new chapter in his wine career in Orange.
He told me last week that he and his wife Bridgette had bought a property at Orange on which they would plant vines. That vineyard, with bought-in grapes, would produce his own-label Orange wines.
Bridgette, a high-level HR manager, had taken a job at Orange with the Newcrest goldmining company and their three daughters Caitlin, Lauren and Bree had switched home from Stockton to Orange.
Jeff, who joined the Agnew operation in 2008, said it had been a terrific job with wonderful people.
Xanthe said she was honoured to take over the reins.
"I'm just as thankful for the mentorship of Jeff over the past few years. I have learnt a lot from him, but I am also relishing the chance to oversee the broader portfolio," she said.
Xanthe was born and raised in Dural-Glenorie area and holds a University of Western Sydney viticulture and winemaking degree and a Charles Sturt wine science degree.
Her first job after graduation in 2007 was managing a Beecroft wine store. In 2009, she came to the Hunter as Hungerford Hill assistant winemaker.
In 2012, she joined Agnew Wines and later became Jeff's assistant winemaker. For the past two years, she has been the Cockfighter's Ghost label winemaker.
Agnew Wines' general manager James Agnew said Xanthe had established herself as one of the shining lights of winemaking.
"We have every confidence that she will seamlessly continue the great work commenced by Jeff and will ensure that Agnew Wines continues to grow," he said.
A TRIO FROM XANTHE
TODAY'S three wines were all made by Xanthe Hatcher and this Cockfighter's Ghost 2016 Single Vineyard Chardonnay is from Adelaide Hills grapes. It is straw-hued, melon and cashew-scented and with ripe white peach front-palate flavour. Fig, brioche, marzipan and toasty oak feature on the middle palate and the finish has lemony acid.
PRICE: $25.
DRINK WITH: Seafood risotto.
AGEING: Six years.
ZINGY McLAREN VALER
FROM Agnew's McLaren Vale Chairman's Vineyard fruit, the Cockfighter's Ghost 2017 Single Vineyard Sangiovese has 14.9% alcohol, ruby hues, gamey scents and zingy cherry front-palate flavour. The middle palate has rhubarb, licorice, cloves and mocha oak and the finish a dusty tannins. At cockfightersghost.com.au and the De Beyers Rd winery.
PRICE: $25.
DRINK WITH: Pizza.
AGEING: Four years.
JUICY CABERNET RED
ALSO Xanthe-crafted from the Chairman's Vineyard Blewitt Springs grapes, the Cockfighter's 2017 Ghost Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has 14.5% alcohol, deep purple hues and juicy blackberry front-palate flavour. The middle palate shows blueberry, spearmint, spice and savoury oak characters and the finish chalky tannins.
PRICE: $25.
DRINK WITH: Pork and veal casserole.
AGEING: Six years.
