Meet the Winemaker (Episode 65): Peter James, Geoff Merrill, by Debra Meiburg MW

With a wine traineeship under his belt, the mid 70's marked Geoff Merrill's entry into the wine business. A decade and several winemaking positions later, Geoff had his own label. In 1985, Geoff began his hunt for a base of operations and found the ideal property in the renowned McLaren Vale region in South Australia. With two years of vision and hard work, he turned the former and dilapidated stable into the beautiful Mount Hurtle Winery.

Today, Geoff has continued to gain both national and international recognition for his distinctive style of making wine that allows regional, varietal and vintage expression, without excessive winemaker intervention. Renowned for their elegant style, Geoff Merrill wines are typically matured in the cellar prior to release. According to their Marketing Manager Peter James, a wine veteran, it is this maturation that makes Geoff Merrill wines so special.