Dan Crane
All Saints

Dan Crane is an Englishman who cut his wine industry teeth at the Oddbins chain in the UK. So what the hell is he doing in Rutherglen? Chasing the cold weather? Well, following a bit of study at Roseworthy, he's decided to get knee-deep in old school Australia and be among the chosen few who steer fortifieds back to respectability and get some seriously good table wine happening too. The latest Brown dynasty, Eliza, Angela and Nick Brown, complete the nu skool picture.
Q&A

 

Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
Aimé Guibert of Mas de Daumas Gassac. Classically French in his belligerence, outrageous ego and anti-Americanism. He started the renaissance of Languedoc and is the creative force behind some amazing wines.  

What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
There is nothing hotter than Spain right now. The food, the cyclists, the culture and especially the wines.

What got you into wine?
I was out of work and took a job stacking shelves in a bottle shop. Never looked back.

What's your desert island wine?
A single bottle would have to be a Rare Rutherglen Muscat. It is so intense that a single sip lasts for ages. If a pallet of something washed ashore, I'd love it to be a Clare riesling, maybe KT and the Falcon, perfect with all that seafood.

Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
I'd see it as a real vote for the treasures we have with our fortified wines and for what we are trying to achieve with All Saints Estate.

If there was no wine in the world...
Then we would have to make do with beer, England would be the centre of the world and Parker would give Little Creatures Ale 99 points.

As a winemaker, where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Exploring the outer edges of the wine world, Georgia, Macedonia, Turkey... and discovering the incredible variety of wines out there.

What's the one word that sums you up?
Difficult (I'm regularly informed of this, so it must be true!).
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