When Mike left New South Wales and the Sydney stock exchange for a vintage in South Australia, he had no inkling that he’d just changed his future’s trajectory for good.

Falling in love with the wine industry, Mike went on to study wine marketing. But it was the smells, tastes and activity within the cellar - not storytelling from the desk - that Mike really loved.

The ability to take fruit and turn it into something that rewards both drinker and maker, saw him make the subtle shift to winemaking.

After working vintages in McLaren Vale and France, Mike completed his first as a winemaker at Gemtree in 1998, alongside his partner Melissa who managed the vineyards.

Melissa’s organically and biodynamically grown grapes are the foundation for the elegant and flavoursome wines Gemtree is known for today, with Mike relishing the opportunity to share them with the world - a direct reflection of where and how the grapes are grown.