PETER GAGO

“For me, it was more of an immersion in wine rather than an epiphany. My passion became my career.”

ROLE

Chief winemaker, Penfolds, Barossa Valley and Magill, SA

FORMER CAREER

High school science teacher

EARLY CAREER GOAL

Peter never had a clear idea

THE TURNING POINT

After Peter’s wife Gail completed her second degree, she told him it was his turn, so he pursued winemaking. PENFOLDS CHIEF winemaker Peter Gago needs little introduction, but not everyone knows he used to teach science to high school kids. For almost eight years, in fact. This detail about Peter, and the fact he truly loved teaching (“I wasn't one of those disenchanted ones”) is no surprise to anyone who’s seen him in action. Peter is a natural public speaker who can hold a room, which is exactly what he does these days to wine lovers around the world. There was a time when wine was just a side interest for Peter. He had completed a basic winemaking course at TAFE and was dabbling in it with fellow former teacher David Lloyd, now of Eldridge Estate. Together they would go from Melbourne to Coonawarra to make wines for David’s label at the time. “For me, it was more of an immersion in wine rather than an epiphany. My passion became my career,” he says.

It wasn’t until Peter’s wife Gail, a registered nurse, completed a neuropsychology degree and suggested he should study something too that he seriously considered a career change. Peter was soon enrolled in Roseworthy’s winemaking degree, had moved to Adelaide and, in his words, was asking for “more, more, more!” from his lecturers. “I came from an educational background and I wanted it all – and a little bit more,” Peter says. His enthusiasm paid off, graduating top of the course, which led to several job offers, including one from Penfolds. This year, Peter celebrates his 30th anniversary at the iconic winery. “No two days have ever been the same,” he says.

Peter has loved experimenting with various wines over the years, naming the Cellar Reserve range and g3 as just two projects he holds dear. And while there have been plenty of accolades and accomplishments along the way, including a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Peter says he is proud of the wider Penfolds team and the way they have sustained the winery’s culture and history as it marks its 175th anniversary this year.

There is plenty more on the horizon that has Peter excited too. Penfolds is launching a Champagne this year to mark its 175th milestone, and the team is working on some inaugural Californian wines, using fruit from the 2018 Napa vintage. “That’s the true nature of being global,” Peter says. “It’s not just about selling wine in those countries, but tasting the ferments and working in those countries too.”