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Making remarkable wines since 1844.

Making remarkable wines
since 1844.

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The Penfolds Winemaking Team at Magill Estate. 10 people stand with red background visible behind.

Our Winemakers

Key to the success of Penfolds has been a lineage of visionary winemakers. There have only ever been four Chief Winemakers at the helm of Penfolds – Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, each a custodian of a rich winemaking tradition that goes back for more than 175 years.

Our current Penfolds winemaking team has more than 150 years between them as Penfolds winemakers. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.

All winemakers should possess a good fertile imagination if they are to be successful in their craft.

MAX SCHUBERT

PENFOLDS FIRST CHIEF WINEMAKER

Peter Gago

Penfolds Chief Winemaker

Peter joined the winemaking team in 1989, initially in the craftsmanship of sparkling wines, before moving on to reds as Penfolds Red Wine Maker. In 2002 Peter became the fourth ever Chief Winemaker for Penfolds. Together with his fellow winemakers, Peter’s careful custodianship has ensured that Grange and the other ‘older’ members of the Penfolds family, have continued to set the benchmark for their style and quality, while new additions to the range push the boundaries ever wider.

Stephanie Dutton

Penfolds Senior Winemaker

Born and raised in a city renowned for its love of food and wine, Stephanie Dutton discovered her passion for fine wine, whilst working in some of Melbourne’s signature restaurants. In 2010, Stephanie joined the Penfolds red winemaking team, based at the Nuriootpa Winery in the Barossa Valley.

Kym Schroeter

Penfolds White Winemaker

Kym’s father, uncle and brother were all Penfolds winemakers, so it was almost inevitable he would join the Penfolds family. Kym joined in 1987 as a laboratory assistant before moving on to red winemaking in 1995 and white winemaking in 2003.

His Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2009 was awarded ‘Best White Wine in the World’ at the 2011 International Wine Challenge and at the 2015 awards Penfolds went on to be named ‘International White Winemaker of the Year’.

Andrew Baldwin

Penfolds Red Winemaker

Andrew Baldwin’s passion for winemaking is unquestionable. Born and raised in wine country, South Australia, Andrew spent his formative years immersed in the vineyards of Eden Valley, earning pocket money by working amongst the vines on neighbouring properties.

After training as a distiller, Andrew joined Penfolds as a cellar supervisor in 1988, before joining the red winemaking in 1991 and has become integral to the continued evolution of some of Penfolds most sought-after expressions.

In 2019 Andrew celebrated his 30th vintage at Penfolds.

Andrew Baldwin, Penfolds Red Winemaker, stands in front of large wine barrels

James Godfrey

Penfolds Global Fortified and Spirit Winemaker

Born in Adelaide, James Godfrey always had an agricultural and scientific passion. Raised amongst a culture where wine was part of life, James’ passion for winemaking bourgeoned as a cellar hand in 1974, a job which solidified his career path and propelled him to hone his newly found passion in study.

In 1990, James joined the Penfolds wider team as a fortified winemaker, looking after the style, integrity and quality for all of Penfolds fortifieds. Now, with over 40 years as a fortified winemaker, James shares his knowledge and unwavering passion with the next generation and ensures Penfolds living history connects both the future and the past.

Andrew Hales

Penfolds Winemaker

Andrew joined the Penfolds Winemaking team in 2017 with over 28 years of winemaking experience.

Andrew is responsible for crafting Bin 169, Bin 707, Bin 407, Bin 128, wines within Max’s range and more. He is also responsible for managing Penfolds Nuriootpa premium vineyards and all Limestone Coast regions including Coonawarra and Robe.

Andrew is passionate about crafting classic wines that display elegance and finesse, with a balanced structure, sublime texture,and longevity.

Andrew Hales, Penfolds Winemaker, sits in the warmly lit tunnels of the winery

Matt Woo

Penfolds Fortified and Spirit Winemaker

Raised in country New South Wales, Matt Woo grew up in a family passionate about food, wine and celebration.

In 2010, Matt became a proud member of the Penfolds winemaking team and is now in the unique position of taking responsibility for both the red table wines and the daily craftsmanship of Penfolds fortified collection – a series of beautifully concentrated and complex tawnies that celebrate the origins of Penfolds winemaking history.

Shavaughn Wells

Penfolds Winemaker

Shavaughn grew up on a vineyard in Victoria’s Merbein; her grandfather was a Winemaker and Managing Director of Mildara Wines who introduced Shavaughn to a world of winemaking - both catalysts for her early affinity for wine. Completing an Oenology degree at the University of Adelaide, Shavaughn followed in her grandfather’s footsteps.

Two decades after her first vintage experience, Shavaughn joined the Penfolds team, working across the red wine portfolio.

Entrenched in the Australian winemaking community, Shavaughn’s contribution to the Australian wine industry and winemaking talent continue to be recognised.

Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker, sits on a wooden wine crate in the vineyards

Shauna Bastow

Penfolds Winemaker

Born and raised in Adelaide South Australia, Shauna always had a keen interest in wine and an appetite to learn more about the industry. Her winemaking journey formally began in 2013 when she enrolled in a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Adelaide University. Whilst completing her studies, Shauna pursued her passion for the industry by working in hospitality and local cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills.

Shauna completed her first Penfolds vintage in 2018 and officially joined the Penfolds winemaking family in 2019 as Winemaker. Shauna is responsible for crafting Koonunga Hills wines – Shiraz, Cabernet and Shiraz Cabernet blend.

Past Winemakers

Max Schubert

Penfolds Chief Winemaker (1948-1975)

Penfolds first ever Chief Winemaker, the creator of Grange and one of the most prolific Australian winemaking figures of the twentieth century.

Close up photo of Dot Ditter, Penfolds former Chief Winemaker

Don Ditter

Penfolds Chief Winemaker (1975-1986)

After taking over from Max Schubert, Don led the winemaking team down new paths by introducing Magill Estate and Koonunga Hill and re-releasing Bin 707

John Duval

Penfolds Chief WInemaker (1986-2002)

The creator of RWT Shiraz (Red Winemaking Trial) and Bin 407. John was instrumental in driving Penfolds white wine portfolio, releasing the acclaimed Yattarna.