John Ashwell - Winemaker
John's passion for the wine industry was nurtured early on by his parents, through their own interest in grape growing and determination to set up a successful boutique winery.
As John got older he went on to manage his parents' vineyard in Queensland, located 800 metres above sea level on the Great Dividing Range. For the next two years John followed the annual cycle of grape vines with keen interest, before deciding it was time to learn how to turn grapes into wine.
He enrolled in a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) at Charles Sturt University in 2003, and the following years saw John studying while working in Central Victoria, the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley and Sonoma County in California.
Returning to Australia for vintage in 2008, he decided South Australia was where he would be best placed to continue his winemaking education, so he packed his car with all his belongings and hit the road.
John started at Wolf Blass as a Vintage Winemaker in 2009, and has been working with us ever since. The range of wine styles and winemaking options available are a constant source of inspiration to him, and help drive his determination to ensure every wine under his care is the best it can possibly be.