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Making remarkable wines since 1844.

Making remarkable wines
since 1844.

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Penfolds Winemaking Team

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 180 years.

The current Penfolds winemaking team has a combined experience of more than 200 years. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.

The Penfolds House Style is the product of multi-generational creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

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

MAX SCHUBERT

PENFOLDS FIRST CHIEF WINEMAKER

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 180 years.

The current Penfolds winemaking team has a combined experience of more than 200 years. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.

The Penfolds House Style is the product of multi-generational creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

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, in Penfolds cellar

Peter Gago

Penfolds Chief Winemaker

Peter launched his career as a chemistry and mathematics teacher before succumbing to a long-held interest in wine. After graduating as dux from a Bachelor of Applied Science (Oenology) at Roseworthy College, Peter joined the winemaking team in 1989, initially in the craftsmanship of sparkling wines, before moving on to reds as Penfolds Red Wine Oenologist. In 2002 Peter became the fourth ever Chief Winemaker for Penfolds. 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.

In 2017, Peter was recognised for his work in the Australian wine industry, becoming South Australia’s Great Wine Capitals Global Ambassador, and received the significant honour, his appointment as a Companion of The Order of Australia (AC). In 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia. In 2021, Peter joined Decanter’s prestigious ‘Hall of Fame’.

Steph Dutton

Director of Winemaking

Born and raised in a city renowned for its love of food and wine, Steph 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 in the Barossa Valley. Today Steph oversees winemaking in each of Penfolds key regions – Australia, the USA, France, and China. Steph pulls together a global winemaking team across two hemispheres and, alongside Peter, she is a custodian of the Penfolds House Style.

Steph Dutton, Penfolds Senior Winemaker, in the Magill Estate Tunnels

Kym Schroeter, Penfolds White Winemaker, sniffing wine in front of barrels.

Kym Schroeter

Penfolds White Winemaker

There has been an unbroken line of the Schroeter family working at Penfolds for 80 years. Kym, a third generation Penfolds winemaker, started in the Penfolds laboratory in 1987. Over the last two decades, Kym has overseen the development of the hallmark Penfolds White Wine Style. Wines renowned for their quality and style.

His Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2009 was awarded ‘Best White Wine in the World’ at the 2011 International Wine Challenge. Kym himself was also honoured at the same event, being named as one of the top three white winemakers in the world. At the 2015 awards Penfolds went on to be named ‘International White Winemaker of the Year’. In 2025, his Yattarna was awarded a Master medal at the Global Chardonnay Masters and Bin 51 Riesling received a Gold Medal at the Global Riesling Masters.

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 1985, before joining the red winemaking team in 1993 and has become integral to the continued evolution of some of Penfolds most sought-after expressions. In his current role, Andrew is tasked with honouring Penfolds winemaking traditions of the past whilst also forging ahead and challenging industry convention to ensure Penfolds red wines continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Since 2017, Andrew has been travelling to Napa Valley to develop and craft Penfolds Californian range, alongside Steph Dutton and Peter Gago. In 2025, Andrew celebrated his 40th vintage at Penfolds.

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

Andrew Hales, Penfolds Winemaker, in front of Penfolds barrel.

Andrew Hales

Penfolds Winemaker

A veteran winemaker with over 35 years of winemaking experience, Andrew joined the Penfolds winemaking team in 2017.

Andrew is widely recognised as a specialist in high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly from the Coonawarra and Robe regions. He is currently responsible for crafting Bin 169, Bin 707, Bin 407, Bin 128, wines within the Max’s range and more. Andrew is passionate about crafting classic wines that display elegance and finesse, with a balanced structure, sublime texture, and longevity.

Shavaughn Wells

Penfolds Winemaker

Entrenched in the Australian winemaking community, Shavaughn has over 30 years of winemaking experience. She 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. In 2008 she was awarded a Len Evans Scholarship and in 2016 she was awarded the title of Australian Winemaker of the Year by Winestate Magazine.

Alongside being an admired specialist in Barossa reds, Shavaughn is a senior wine show judge and a Baron of the Barossa. More than two decades after her first vintage experience, Shavaughn joined the Penfolds team in 2017, working across the red wine portfolio in both Australia and China.

Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker, in front of Penfolds barrel.

Shauna Bastow, Penfolds Winemaker in the underground tunnels of Magill Estate

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. After a proven apprenticeship in Penfolds reds in the Barossa Valley, Shauna moved to France in 2024 to support the team on the ground, bringing the Penfolds French portfolio to life at Penfolds home in Bordeaux.

Tom Shanahan

Penfolds Winemaker

Growing up in sunny Queensland, Tom Shanahan developed a strong connection and early interest in wine during his formative years of working in various Brisbane restaurants where he would host esteemed winemakers from around the country.

Armed with a wealth of experience, Tom officially joined the Penfolds winemaking team in 2022. He is currently responsible for crafting Penfolds pinot noirs, in addition to wines from the Penfolds Koonunga Hill range. A career highlight was the opportunity to broaden his horizons and complete a vintage with Penfolds in the Napa Valley in 2021, working closely with the team to produce wines for the esteemed Californian Release.

Tom Shanahan, Penfolds Winemaker, in underground tunnels at Magill Estate.

Henry Slattery, Penfolds Winemaker in the underground tunnels of Magill Estate

Henry Slattery

Penfolds Winemaker

Born and raised in South Australia, Henry had an affection for nature and agriculture early, enrolling in an undergraduate degree of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide in 2004. He completed his first year of university before being drafted into the AFL, where he pursued his competing ambitions of professional football with Essendon Football Club. Over the following 8 years, Henry committed to the completion of his studies, attaining his degree of Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne.

During his time in the AFL, Henry developed an appreciation for wine through his contacts in the industry and was particularly drawn to viticulture through his studies. Upon finishing his football career, he moved back to Adelaide to complete his Masters of Oenology at the University of Adelaide. Henry joined Penfolds in 2022 with over ten years’ experience in winemaking. He works in the red winemaking team on central and cool climate shiraz and cabernet.

New Team Members

In 2025, four new team members joined the Penfolds winemaking family.

Alex Mackensie

PENFOLDS WINEMAKER

Alex joined the Penfolds winemaking team in 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience including vintages in the Rhône Valley, Barolo, the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. Alex specialises in making wine from Old Vines in the Barossa and McLaren Vale, including Shiraz and Grenache.

Tyson Bitter

FORTIFIED WINEMAKER

Tyson is a fifth generation Barossan, with more than 28 years of winemaking experience in Australia, California, France and Spain. Tyson has been involved in the production of Penfolds Fortifieds since 2018, recently transitioning into a leading role after a long apprenticeship with James Godfrey and Matt Woo.

Reno Liu

PENFOLDS WINEMAKER

Over the last 15 years Reno has worked in both the Australian and growing Chinese wine industry. Over the last five years, he has been instrumental to the development of Penfolds Chinese wines.

Megan Twitchell

PENFOLDS WINEMAKER

Since joining Penfolds in 2023 as a California winemaker, Megan has drawn on more than ten years of winemaking experience, including nearly a decade in Napa Valley, to uphold and advance the Penfolds legacy.

Past Winemakers

Close up photo of Max Schubert, Penfolds former Chief Winemaker

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

Close up photo of John Duval, Penfolds former Chief Winemaker

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.

Discover More

Story of Grange

About Penfolds

The Story of Grange

Bottles in cellar

Our Wines

Cellaring Your Wine

Penfolds History

About Penfolds

Our History

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