Heroes

James Thomas was 16 when his parents planted a vineyard in the UK in 1996. He came to Australia in 2004. After achieving a postgraduate degree in oenology from La Trobe, he spent 4 years as assistant winemaker at Bannockburn Vineyards, followed by 3 years of making sparkling wine in England. Returning to Australia in '14, his homing pigeon instinct led him to become head winemaker at Clyde Park for the '14-16 vintages (inclusive). Wanting to establish his own winery, he looked at many possible sites in Geelong but didn't imagine he would be able to find a 3.4ha vineyard planted to pinot noir, shiraz, riesling and sauvignon blanc. He is deeply wedded to organic vineyard practices and is moving towards certification. He has also increased the plantings with 0.5ha chardonnay. I was much taken by the sophistication of the labels, even more by the quality of his wines. -JAMES HALLIDAY