Liz Richardson

Liz Richardson's Story

"I started to study Political Science and International Relations with a  minor in Indonesian language studies when I left University and realised pretty quickly that this path was not for me!

Coming from a wheat and sheep property in the Great Southern region of Western Australia I wanted to do something agriculture related, and fell into studying viticulture & oenology as a way to do this as well as indulge a passion for wine!

I studied for my Bachelor of Applied Science (Viticulture & Oenology) at Curtin University WA 2000-2003. Then went on to do my first vintage at West Cape Howe in Denmark (2002) followed by subsequent vintages in the Hunter Valley (Yarraman Estate- 2003); Domaine Chandon(Yarra Valley -2004) Tasmania (Pipers Brook and Winemaking Tasmania – 2003 & 2004). Travel to South America in 2004 before starting permanent role as Assistant Winemaker at Forest Hill in Denmark (2004-2006).

From there I went on to work at Capel Vale In late 2006 as White Winemaker before moving to Italy in late 2007 to complete my Masters in Food Culture and Communication at The University of Gastronomic Sciences in Parma, Emiglia Romagna, Italy. I finally completed my Masters Project ( The Influence of the Contract Winemaker on the Expression of Terroir in Piemontese Wines) whilst completing vintage with Giuseppe (Beppe) Ca’Viola- one of Italy’s most well know winemakers. Phew, the road was long and there was an awful lot of airplanes but finally I know I was ready to return home and put all my learnt skills to the test!

I have been at QWS since January 2009 as Winemaker and during time here have completed another vintage (2009) in Italy as well as an International Course on Piemontese wines for Industry Professionals completed in Piedmont, Italy (2010) so really the learning never stops!

I love the opportunity to be able to create something to share with friends and family at the table, during celebrations etc. The opportunities to travel around the world are pretty amazing too. Really for me, my favourite thing about winemaking is the inexhaustible opportunities to do ‘something different’.

Cheers,

Liz"