Featured Partner
Elena Golakova-Brooks
Dandelion Vineyards & Cien Y Pico
Elena originally hails from Bulgaria where her family has a history of involvement with state owned winemaking but she is well and truly at home in McLaren Vale where she has worked for many of the well-known crew. A graduate of the University of Adelaide's BSc (Oenology) course, she has landed on her feet as winemaker and part owner of Dandelion Vineyards. Delving into the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale with the Dandelion project, she also makes wine in Manchuela, Spain, under the Cien Y Pico banner. It's quite a life!
Q&A
Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
The wine; always the next great glass that makes you want to drink the bottle and change your mind. The person; Stephen Bennett, a great Australian winemaker who worked at my Mum's winery in Bulgaria when I was a teenager and who sponsored my study here.
What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
These great ‘new' varieties like Riesling and Grenache. Sshhh.
What got you into wine?
My mother ‘Dani', she worked in the Winery library in our local state owned winery in Bulgaria when I was a girl and thought all that winemakers did was wear lab coats, drink in the morning and go out to lunch. Of course!
What's your desert island wine?
1990 Louis Roederer Cristal (Champagne) in a really big bottle, slightly chilled, morning noon and night and even if it was served in those coconuts shell (Thanks Mr R.).
Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
I really shouldn't. I'm shy and embarrassed to be nominated. I like so many of the other nominees wines. In wine, the glass is always greener.
(Complete this sentence) If there was no wine in the world...
‘Dis is bullshit!' Wine would need to be invented or we would be drinking 20 coffees a day and fermented milk at night and no one would want to follow their dreams. Make wine from now.
What's the one word that sums you up?
"Lubopitna" Which sort of means interested, but really translates as "to like asking questions, about everything!"
Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
The wine; always the next great glass that makes you want to drink the bottle and change your mind. The person; Stephen Bennett, a great Australian winemaker who worked at my Mum's winery in Bulgaria when I was a teenager and who sponsored my study here.
What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
These great ‘new' varieties like Riesling and Grenache. Sshhh.
What got you into wine?
My mother ‘Dani', she worked in the Winery library in our local state owned winery in Bulgaria when I was a girl and thought all that winemakers did was wear lab coats, drink in the morning and go out to lunch. Of course!
What's your desert island wine?
1990 Louis Roederer Cristal (Champagne) in a really big bottle, slightly chilled, morning noon and night and even if it was served in those coconuts shell (Thanks Mr R.).
Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
I really shouldn't. I'm shy and embarrassed to be nominated. I like so many of the other nominees wines. In wine, the glass is always greener.
(Complete this sentence) If there was no wine in the world...
‘Dis is bullshit!' Wine would need to be invented or we would be drinking 20 coffees a day and fermented milk at night and no one would want to follow their dreams. Make wine from now.
What's the one word that sums you up?
"Lubopitna" Which sort of means interested, but really translates as "to like asking questions, about everything!"
