Steve is widely recognised as one of Australia’s best cool climate winemakers and an expert in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2016 Steve was awarded Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s Winemaker of the Year and was named Wine Communicators of Australia Victorian Legend of the Vine in 2019.
Steve brings 30+ years of winemaking experience and industry knowledge to his work with clients at Wine Network. During his 17 years as Chief Winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, Steve achieved great success and established a reputation for producing high-quality, site-expressive wines. This continues to be a focus for Steve in his two wine labels, Salo and Decades.
Originally a chef, Steve also studied cheesemaking in France and after working at Château du Bluizard in the Cote de Brouilly, he was inspired to become a winemaker. . He went on to complete a Bachelor of Science (Wine Science) at Roseworthy Agricultural College and is a Len Evans Tutorial scholar. Steve has also worked at Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River and Yarra Burn Winery in the Yarra Valley, and has completed several vintages overseas including in Alsace, Provence and Brouilly.
Steve is a highly experienced wine show judge and a regular guest presenter at technical workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand. He is currently the Chair of Judges at the Perth Royal Wine Show and the North-East Victorian Wine Show, and a Panel Chair at the Orange Wine Show. Steve is also a committee member for the Yarra Valley Wine Show and Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (Pinot Massif).