Matt Fowles and Sam Plunkett

Matt and Sam's Story

Sam Plunkett's Story

I was born in 1968 – the year my Dad first planted vines, and grew up watching the family business develop. There was no doubt, from an early age, that I'd follow in his footsteps, and sure enough I took over the family winery in 1991. Likewise, the business is still a family affair, and my kids (Felix 8 and Ed 4) made their very first wine this year!

I’m an appallingly ego driven fellow. I love it that we make wine and people enjoy it and make a fuss about it and sometimes they give us a round of applause!

And wine reflects the place and the season and the people, and it is alive. We live and work in the place we grow grapes and make wine. Mother nature tells us when to pick, and gives us problems to solve...too much rain, not enough rain, bushfires.

I guess I love the whole thing, that we are a part of nature, that wine is alive, that a vintage marks a time in history, and we help make something that is often a little piece of merriment for the drinker.

Matt Fowles's Story

I’m from the ‘struck by earth shattering vision/opportunity’ school. I am actually a lawyer by trade and was sitting in the then tallest building in central Melbourne with the biggest law firm in the world, and thinking about wine and sheep all day! Our family sheep farm is up near Sam Plunkett’s family vineyard and farm and our neighbour’s winery and vineyard was offered for sale. Well Sam and I, who had already been talking about a couple of wine projects, quickly leapt at the opportunity to ‘move in’ together. It has been a terrific move and, although I seem to spend a lot of time driving computers, I don’t have to wear a suit and I certainly get time to make and enjoy wine! The world of winemaking is SUCH GOOD FUN!

Here are some of the things I love about the industry:

• Spending time outdoors
• Understanding (interacting and observing) nature
• The excitement and challenges of dealing with the variabilities of nature!
• The challenges inherent to wine business
• Farming generally, an unbelievably satisfying pursuit
• Time with family, friends and wine-loving people
• Hands on time in the winery

I gave up everything; legal career, home in the city and potentially the love of my life! Happily, I gained the best career imaginable, a beautiful home (I think so anyway) and my girlfriend became my wife!

I really hope you enjoy the wines, please come online and tell us your thoughts!