Rob Dolan

Winemaker + Managing Director

Years in Industry: 36

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, Coonawarra

Previous life: Physical Education Teacher, Psychologist and Footballer

Character Quirk: Always at stage 5 of a 20 point plan, invented the terrine sandwich, favourite songs are Kokomo by The Beach Boys and Sugarman by Rodriguez

Ben Dolan

General Manager

Years in Industry: 8

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, Central Otago (NZ) + Napa Valley (California, USA), Burgundy (France), Beaujolais (France)

Previous life: Business/Sports Management Student

Character Quirk: Knows all the words to ‘How to Make Gravy’ by Paul Kelly

Adrian Santolin

Chief Winemaker

Years in Industry: 18

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley, Sunbury, Hunter Valley, Riverina, Franciacorta (Italy) + Veneto (Italy)

Previous life: Sports Management
Character Quirk: Wants to bring back the 90’s

Raph

Assistant Winemaker

Years in Industry: 2 (paid anyway!)

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley

Previous life: Student – Major in Chemistry + Microbiology, grew up working on his family vineyard

Character Quirk: Lunch room quiz master, creator of hot sauce

Peta

Laboratory Technician

Years in Industry: 6

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley

Previous life: Myotherapist

Character Quirk: 50% human, 50% hot cross bun, queen of the bitmoji

Tom

Cellar

What drove you to winemaking? I used to work in Hospitality as a server – my favourite part was always tasting wines and making recommendations. So, I thought why not apply to do my first vintage!

Best moment of 2021 vintage? Receiving my Rob Dolan beanie – because I haven’t taken it off since!

• How long have you been in the industry for? 5 years
  working in hospitality and this is my second vintage.

Liam

Cellar

Years in Industry: 3.5

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley

Previous life: Duty manager at a winery and restaurant

Character Quirk: : loves to belt out a Daryl Braithwaite tune on a Friday arvo, occasionally dabbles with his own ferments in his backyard

Jess

Cellar Door Wine Specialist

Years in industry: 5+

Regions worked in: Yarra Valley

Main gig: Jess is a jack of all trades, and when not at cellar door you can find them working as a singer, dancer, and actor in live theatre, teaching barre class at the gym, working in digital marketing and social media management, or working at Mecca Cosmetica.

Character Quirk: Loves hosting a dinner party and can whip up a seriously good vegan dish! Jess is also a huge horror film fan.

Bella

Cellar Door Wine Specialist

Best part of the job: Running tastings and encouraging people to try new wines, teaching them something new or something as simple as the difference between Red and White.e.g that Pinot Gris has pink skin.

Favourite Wine: Pinot Gris, I love that it’s fresh and summery.

Past Life: Nanny, hospo and tennis

Favourite thing to do in your spare time: Oil and acrylic painting, I am currently studying industrial and communication design at Uni.

Character Quirk: I currently coach tennis for 5-18 year olds

Merlot

Chief Cuddle Officer

Belongs to: The Dolans

Years at winery: 3

Quirk: Loves a dip in the fountain and drying off on customers at cellar door, doesn’t understand the definition of no

Larry

Cellar Door Fountain Lifeguard

Belongs to: Ben

Years at winery: 1

Quirk: Loves to play-wrestle with the other dogs. It's a quick competition given Larry's large size, he will show off his victory by sitting on his opponent.

Hector

King of the Barrel Room

Belongs to: Meg

Years at winery: 1

Quirk: Loves finding hiding places around the winery!

Hermes

Guardian of the Laboratory

Belongs to: Peta

Years at winery: 6

Quirk: Serial puppy biter, sits at the table like a human in the lunch room