Chris’ winemaking career began in the kitchen, working as a chef for over 13 years; he applied his trade in establishments all over Australia. His time in the restaurant industry forged a deep love of wine and an intrinsic understanding of the wine flavours, aromas, texture and balance.
Following his passion, Chris studied an applied science (oenology) degree with the University of Southern Queensland, and upon graduation was dux of his class. Chris honed his skills at Yering Station making premium Yarra Valley sparkling, chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. A vintage at Domaine Serene in the Willamette Valley Oregon, USA only deepened Chris’ love and understanding of premium cool climate wine. In 2014 Chris joined the team at Sunshine Creek to work alongside Mario Marson. Utilising the new world class winery facility and premium estate grown fruit, now Chief Winemaker Chris is taking Sunshine Creek's wines to a new standard of excellence.
Andrew’s involvement in the wine industry began in 1981 when he was given the opportunity to develop a vineyard’s on what was then his parents land just north of Lakes Entrance in Eastern Victoria. Over the ensuing years he worked at his neighbor’s vineyard and winery (Lulgra Winery) and studied Viticulture by correspondence at Wagga Agricultural College.
Andrew’s neighbor’s eventually retired from winemaking and he purchased half of their property, which included a small vineyard and well designed multi level winery. Over the following years Andrew expanded production and focused on exploiting the strong tourist market in the Gippsland Lakes. This involved building a restaurant and further increasing his holdings to include direct access to the Lakes so to enable cruises and private boats to visit.
After 19 vintages change beckoned and he moved to Melbourne with his wife and 2 year old twin boys. Looking to recharge his batteries Andrew worked for several years as a casual storeman before being offered a job as an assistant manager at a premium Yarra Valley vineyard. After one year Andrew was promoted to manager, where he stayed for almost 10 years and during that time they shifted from being a supplier of grapes to several premium labels and onto creating their very own much sought after range.
Eventually by happenstance a change was in the air and Andrew found himself making the move to Sunshine Creek where he and Mario Marson are developing the vineyard into one of the premium sites in the Yarra. They have grafted selected clonal material on the existing old vines enabling the craft of a fine Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They have a singular purpose in creating the finest quality wine possible. After only a few vintages we are seeing the benefits of a personalized, site and variety specific approach to viticulture.
Having completed studies of Communications, Graphic Arts and Media in Subiaco, Benjamin moved to Melbourne where he was Business Development Manager for Expert Installs from 2003 – 2009 managing and growing their corporate and government accounts nationally. Pursuing his love of wine he then opened and managed Old & Rare Wine House in Southbank spearheading their corporate sales department. After 2 years there he moved to be store manager of Camberwell Cellars (formerly Cloud Wine) where the focus was e-Commerce selling over 350 boutique Australian wines online, whilst completing 3 years of Mandarin studies at the ACCS Institute Box Hill and Melbourne cbd and becoming a member of the Australian Chamber of International Trade.
In 2010 Benjamin was the export documentation and logistics assistant manager for S & N Wines with a portfolio consisting of Grant Burge, Mount Mary, Vinea Marson, Philip Shaw, Bannockburn, Del Rios, Craiglee, Geoff Hardy, Sunshine Creek and De Bortoli wines exporting and promoting these wines within mainland China and Hong Kong. In 2015 he became Marketing Manager of Sunshine Creek in the Yarra Valley promoting our high quality Estate wines within Australia and exporting to France, Hong Kong, Japan and China where he has visited all 23 provinces except inner Mongolia and Tibet. His zeal is providing a high level of customer service and growing our business, sharing amazing wines and stories and making long lasting relationships along the way.
Working closely over the years in partnership with Vinea Marson, Grant Burge, Philip Shaw and Philip Jones sharing in the experience learned from each other, James is now fulfilling his wish to grow and make wine in the Yarra Valley and to promote and build even more awareness of the Yarra Valley internationally. James works in union with neighbors and local Yarra Valley vineyards taking the Yarra Valley status internationally to even greater heights. In 2013 James was awarded Honours as Associate of Wine Protector - France Bordeaux Region.
Summer leads the team and has extensive experience in the wine industry having owned and operated her own wine clubs and retail shops for many years abroad and in Melbourne. She knows the ins and outs of the industry bringing a wealth of knowledge to the daily runnings of the operations at the vineyard and winery. Knowing full well you cannot make good wine without good fruit, encourages patience and a hands on approach to all staff.