Chief Winemaker
Deadline for applications: Tuesday, 23rd September 2025
Nugan Estate is a thriving wine business in the NSW Riverina, in high demand with export markets and an expansive reach throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Japan, Malaysia, and Nigeria, among others. These established sales channels include exclusive product arrangements with high-profile customers including Marks & Spencer in the UK and the Musgrave Group in Ireland.
From small-batch single vineyard wines bottled domestically to shipments for in-market bottling, Nugan Estate is focused on producing high quality, customer-driven wines for both the domestic and export markets. Their extensive portfolio showcases a select range of vineyards in the Riverina, King Valley, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. Nugan Estate is committed to innovative product development, including the production of no and low alcohol wines. The 8000T winery in Griffith was purpose built to encompass all equipment, plant and operations inside, along with an underground barrel cave, reducing environmental impacts and temperature fluctuations. Investment in equipment upgrades and new technology has been implemented to support further growth and market demands.
Nugan Estate encapsulates over 80 years of determination and innovation in agribusiness, with the Matriarch Michelle Carruthers Nugan the driving force behind much of their success and development of the wine business. Led by her entrepreneurship, the family produced their first commercial vintage in 2000, followed by the construction of the winery in 2002. Now owned and run by the third generation of the family, the winery continues to grow based on these core philosophies.
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Chief Winemaker will be responsible for all winemaking operations, driving wine style and culture through proactive leadership of the team. Part of the senior management team, this role will be integral to business performance and advancing the next phase of growth and development plans. The Chief Winemaker will also be a brand advocate, with opportunities to represent the business internationally and develop exclusive products for key trade customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage all winemaking operations, ensuring operational excellence
- Manage the winery team, providing operational leadership and professional development opportunities
- Prepare a production plan to meet forecasts, style, budgets and timelines
- Set winemaking styles and technical standard, establishing specifications and production processes
- Drive wine quality, maintaining standards and control procedures, including a wine analysis program
- Liaise with growers, performing vineyard inspections and coordinating vintage logistics
- Ensure bottling specifications are met and analysis is completed
- Operate a safe work environment, ensuring processes are followed and regulatory compliance is met
- Maintain accurate and up to date winemaking and production systems and records
- Manage winery budgets and operational costs, delivering forecasts and reports
- Assist with capital investment projects, improving production facilities for optimal performance and profitability
- Identify and develop improvement strategies and growth opportunities, including new product development
- Represent the business, maintaining positive customer and trade relationships
- Develop and implement KPI dashboards
- Actively contribute to the company’s HACCP program
- Assist in hands-on cellar operations when required
Key Requirements
- Tertiary qualification in Oenology or relevant discipline
- Experience managing large winery operations and a multidisciplinary team
- Business and financial acumen
- Advanced technical knowledge across a diverse range of styles and varieties
- Astute understanding of sensory analysis and quality evaluation
- Broad knowledge of national and global wine styles and trends
- Experience with bulk wine, and no and low alcohol production an advantage
- Understanding of viticulture
- Proficient in modern business software and technology
- Innovative, with experience in new product development
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of audiences
- Valid forklift and driver’s licence
- Capacity for domestic and international travel
To discuss this role or receive a copy of the position description, contact Glenn Thompson at gthompson@winenet.com.au or 0438 308 278.
