Yarra Valley local Adam McCallum has been appointed winemaker at TarraWarra Estate in the Yarra Valley.
He has worked closely with winemaker Clare Halloran for the past 12 years.
Adam has more than a decade of experience in winemaking including at De Bortoli Wines, Yarra Yering and McPherson Wines in Victoria as well as ay Domaine Matrot and De Bortoli Wines in Burgundy and Frankland Estate in WA.
Born and raised in the Yarra Valley, Adam’s initial exposure to wine was at a local wine shop in Croydon, where he worked alongside Nick Pantazi and Martin Singh.
He went on to do a year of travel across Europe and the United States before returning to Victoria to work behind the bar at the Yarra Glen Hotel.
After a chance encounter with Steve Webber while working at the pub, Adam was given the opportunity to work his first vintage at De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley, kickstarting his journey into winemaking.
Adam has been mentored by industry leaders such as Steve Webber, Dr Bailey Carrodus, William Downie and Timo Mayer.
“They have all informed my understanding of fine wine and the importance of creating wines true to the land,” Adam says.
“One aspect of oenology that particularly excited me is the fact that each vintage throws a unique set of circumstances which one must adapt to.
“My approach to winemaking is highlighted through my philosophy of nurturing and caring for the vines, allowing the fruit to express the characteristics of the site through minimal intervention.”
Adam enjoys drinking wines that are subtle, elegant and well balanced and believes these attributes are not exclusive to expensive wines.
Not surprisingly, his varieties of choice are Pinot and Chardonnay – TarraWarra Estate’s most celebrated wines.