Featured Partner
Sarah Fagan
De Bortoli
Sarah Fagan is one of those people you just want to have on your team. She's as honest as the day is long and she manages to cut through the not insubstantial superfluous layers surrounding the world of wine and get to the essence of things - whether she's making it, talking about it or just drinking it. Her time at De Bortoli started in 2003 with a three-month stint blowing out to a year. She headed to California (working with Ted "da man" Lemon at Littorai) and returned to De Bortoli when Steve Webber asked her to "help out" with the whites. She's been "helping out" ever since and is even "helping out" with the pinot noir these days. She also completed vintage in Germany recently and is a mad keen skier in her spare time.
Q&A
Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
A wine which speaks more of where & when rather than the who. To me that is what makes a memorable wine.
What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
I think single site wines are what makes the whole industry exciting.
What got you into wine?
A bourgogne blanc.
What's your desert island wine?
Not too particular but any bottle straight from the cellars of Domaine Armand Rouuseau would suffice. Or a smart Chablis - Les Clos vineyard.
Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
Umm, let me think... Nup, got nothing.
(Complete this sentence) If there was no wine in the world...
I'd be trying to make gin.
As a winemaker, where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Still trying to convince the masses that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc isn't all it's cracked up to be.
What's the one word that sums you up?
Relaxed.
Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
A wine which speaks more of where & when rather than the who. To me that is what makes a memorable wine.
What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
I think single site wines are what makes the whole industry exciting.
What got you into wine?
A bourgogne blanc.
What's your desert island wine?
Not too particular but any bottle straight from the cellars of Domaine Armand Rouuseau would suffice. Or a smart Chablis - Les Clos vineyard.
Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
Umm, let me think... Nup, got nothing.
(Complete this sentence) If there was no wine in the world...
I'd be trying to make gin.
As a winemaker, where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Still trying to convince the masses that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc isn't all it's cracked up to be.
What's the one word that sums you up?
Relaxed.
