Adelaide Hills boutique wine producer Anvers Wines has appointed Matthew Keoghan to oversee winemaking, production and national sales.
Matthew is the son of winery founder Wayne Keoghan.
Wayne says the appointment reflects a considered evolution for the business, formally bringing Matthew into a leadership role following years of close collaboration and a deep connection to the Anvers vineyard.
Since launching his own labels, Beyond the Pines and Wind River in 2020, Matthew has worked extensively with estate fruit from the Anvers vineyard, developing an intimate understanding of the site and its potential.
His new role will see him oversee all production elements while also leading national sales as the winery continues to grow.
Matthew brings extensive experience across both winemaking and commercial leadership, having completed vintages at Samuel’s Gorge, Henschke and Cape Mentelle, alongside international experience at Domaine Jean Louis Chave in Hermitage, Domaine Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vietti in Barolo and Jean Philippe Marchand in Burgundy.
He has also held senior industry roles including wine buyer and sommelier for Melbourne’s Marquis of Lorne Pub Group, national brand manager for Mezzanine Wines, and national brand and sales manager for Rieslingfreak.
Matthew said he was excited to formally step into the role and further develop the potential of the estate vineyard and family brand.
“Having worked closely with the Anvers vineyard through Beyond the Pines and Wind River, I’ve developed a strong understanding of the site and what it’s capable of,” he said.
“Stepping into this role allows us to take that further and really focus on expressing the vineyard in a more detailed and considered way.
“We’re incredibly fortunate at Anvers to have 100 percent estate fruit.
“Across just a few Syrah blocks we have pockets of ironstone heavy with clay loams, sandy loams and quartz reefs, all with slight variations in slope and aspect.
“By targeting and picking different parts of the vineyard and vinifying them separately, we can build a palette of components that allow us to create wines which best express these differing pockets, while staying within and developing the Anvers house style.”
The approach will focus on harvesting smaller parcels across the estate, with different parts of the vineyard informing flavour, structure and style.
Techniques such as varying whole bunch inclusion, adjusting ripeness and tailoring fermentation will be used to highlight site expression and build complexity.
Wayne said the appointment reflects Anvers’ continued focus on refining its estate-driven approach.
“Matthew has built a strong understanding of the vineyard over a number of years and brings both global winemaking experience and commercial insight,” he said.
“This appointment allows us to further lean into what makes Anvers unique and continue evolving our wines in a thoughtful and considered way.”
The appointment comes as Anvers Wines continues to build momentum following recent national recognition and increased interest in site-driven, small-batch Australian wines, with the new leadership structure positioning the winery for its next phase of growth.
The Anvers story began in 1998 when founders Wayne and Myriam Keoghan and their family settled on a sprawling farm property in Kangarilla, igniting a lifelong passion for cool climate wines and telling the stories of their unique patch of land on the cusp of McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills winegrowing regions.
The cellar door was originally an old dairy built in 1949 that has been transformed into a purpose-built modern venue designed with guest experience in mind.
The north-facing vineyards sit at an elevation of 383 metres above sea level and benefit from a cooling nightly southeastern breeze.
The unique terroir combines buckshot ironstone, shoal and quartz incorporated with medium clay soils.
Sixteen hectares have been planted with varieties such as Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Gamay, Barbera and Sauvignon Blanc.
Anvers Wines has been a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia since 2023.
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