The Wine Tasmania Technical Committee is a group of volunteers including producer members and associate members. The primary functions of the Technical Committee are:

Prioritise Research, Development and Extension activities through the development of the Tasmanian Wine RD&E Strategy
Advise the Wine Tasmania board of Research, Development and Extension priorities and activities and provide technical feedback
Promote the Tasmanian wine sector as a vibrant, professional place to work

The members of the Technical Committee are volunteers who give their time freely for the benefit of the entire Tasmanian wine sector.

Members

Samantha Connew (Chair)

A highly experienced and respected winemaker, Samantha Connew launched her first solo project Stargazer in Tasmania in 2013. She is a director on the Wine Tasmania Board and was appointed to the Tech Committee in January 2020.

VISIT STARGAZER

Penny Jones

After more than 10 years spent working in the Adelaide Hills for Petaluma, Penny Jones returned to her home state of Tasmania in 2013 to join the Bay of Fires winemaking team. She has been a member of the Technical Committee since 2018.

VISIT BAY OF FIRES

Cynthea Semmens

Cynthea is the Winemaker & Manager of Marion's Vineyard, planted by her parents in the 1980s, along with her viticulturalist husband and young family. Cynthea joined the Technical Committee in 2019.

VISIT MARION'S VINEYARD

Hugh McCullough

Originally from the States, via the UK, Hugh came to Tasmania in 2015 and now owns and runs two wine companies with his wife, Natalie Fryar: the main focus being traditional method sparkling and Riesling, based in Pipers River. He has been a member of the Technical Committee since 2022

VISIT WELLINGTON AND WOLFE

Murray Leake

Murray Leake is the Group Viticulturalist for Shaw & Smith Wines, overseeing vineyard management of three vineyards in the Adelaide Hills along with winery grower fruit supply. He also oversees the management of Shaw & Smith's Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal Valley.

VISIT TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD

Izaak Perkins

Izaak oversees the management of Ghost Rock Wines Cradle Coast region vineyard

VISIT GHOST ROCK WINES

Ben Pietsch

Ben Pietsch is the Tasmanian Viticulturist for Brown Family Wine Group, managing Tamar Ridge vineyards along with winery grower fruit supply. He brings years of experience in cool climate viticulture ranging from regions such as the Grampians, Yarra Valley and now beautiful Tasmania.

VISIT TAMAR RIDGE

Astrid Walters

Astrid is manager and co owner at Boomer Creek Vineyard, alongside her parents & husband Max. She also spends time helping out in the winery each season over vintage at Spring Vale Vineyard in Cranbrook.

VISIT BOOMER CREEK VINEYARD

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

You can download the full bios for Wine Tasmania's Technical Committee by clicking on "Read More" below.