Nicole Brasier – a 2024 Len Evans Tutorial scholar – has joined Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek as senior winemaker.
“Nicole brings to Bleasdale a wealth of wine knowledge and deep understanding of wine quality,” Bleasdale chair Iain Riggs AM says.
“Her time spent in the Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and working with Adelaide Hills fruit is a perfect fit for Bleasdale.
“I’m sure Nicole will bring out the best in Langhorne Creek grapes from the old vine varieties available to her.”
Graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor of Oenology and Viticulture from Adelaide University, Nicole has steadily expanded her passion for wine by working with all varieties in many different regions.
She has a keen interest in single site Chardonnay and Shiraz.
Sustainability in the wine industry is also a great passion.
Nicole will work closely with Bleasdale viticulturist and grower liaison officer Sarah Keough, a Nuffield Australia 2020 Scholarship winner, who is actively involved in the EcoVineyards projects.
“I have a passion for driving continuous improvements towards sustainability in the wine industry,” Nicole says.
“I am a Freshcare trainer and have experience managing Sustainable Wine Growers Australia Code of Practices for wineries, vineyards and wine businesses.”
Nicole will join winemaker Sam Rowlands in the winery.
Sam was mentored by the previous winemaking team of Paul Hotker and Matt Laube.
He has been working as a winemaker at Bleasdale since early 2023, starting off in a vintage role then transitioning to winemaker over the past two years.
He completed his tertiary qualification in Viticulture and Oenology in 2022 with Honours in Wine Science.
Sam received an academic achievement award in his final year, along with a scholarship from the University’s Science Department for his Honours project.
Sam’s professional experience started with a four-year stint working for Longview Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, predominantly in the vineyard.
Sam spent his evenings working in wine retail at East End Cellars, broadening his scope and knowledge of both local and international wines.
In 2022 Sam worked as vintage winemaker at Pernod Ricard in the Barossa. Once his study was complete, he then joined the Bleasdale team.
In 2023 Sam took a brief hiatus from Bleasdale to complete a vintage in Barbaresco in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy.
“I love working at Bleasdale and hope to utilise my varied experience in the wine industry to help continue to produce outstanding and characterful wines,” Sam says.
Bleasdale was founded by Frank Potts in 1850 and will celebrate its 175th anniversary in April 2025.
Photo: Nicole Brasier and Sam Rowlands.