Franco D'Anna
Hoddles Crrek

Knee deep in the wine trade since 1963, the D'Anna family (of Boccaccio Cellars fame) started Hoddles Creek Estate in 1997 and then one day they thought... Wait, this sounds like a back label... one day they gave winemaker Franco D'Anna a mandate to make the best quality, best value booze he could and he hasn't looked back, even adding some innovative, mind-bendingly good stuff like their pinot blanc into the mix. Franco's got the talent and the family knows what works at the retail coal face. If only there were more like these guys!
Q&A

 

Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
I would have to say my father. I wouldn't be doing what I love if it wasn't for him.

What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
Italian reds and German whites, also hand crafted wines that are unique and show a sense of place.

What got you into wine?
Working in liquor retail, I tried some truly amazing wines such as Blue Nun and ever so consistent Berri Riesling 4L.

What's your desert island wine?
Cristal 1990, anything Rousseau.

Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
So my kids can take the replica gun for show-and-tell.

If there was no wine in the world...
I would probably live a lot longer.

As a winemaker, where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Continuing to evolve Hoddles, by focusing more on our single block wines, and improving the quality of our wines by fine-tuning viticulture and hopefully keeping our prices affordable so we continue to over-deliver.

What's the one word that sums you up?
Determined.

 
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