XANTHE HATCHER Winemaker Audrey Wilkinson Wines, Cockfighter’s Ghost Wines, Poole’s Rock Wines The 33-year-old commenced her wine journey as manager of a Sydney wine retailer before joining Hungerford Hill as assistant winemaker. Her move to multi-brand stable Agnew Wines in 2013 has since advanced Xanthe to winemaker. In addition to her nomination for the Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year, Xanthe was awarded the 2016 Hunter Valley Alasdair Sutherland Scholarship, an award recognising young and aspiring Hunter Valley wine professionals. What got you involved in the wine industry? My family used to tell me that ‘winemaking is in the blood’ because my great-great grandfather was a Frenchman who lived in Paris and had a vineyard in the Côte-d’Or, where he and his sons used to make wine. I certainly know there’s nothing else I would rather do so perhaps there is some truth to it. Most challenging aspect of being a female in a male-dominated industry? I do regularly find myself as the only female surrounded by men. At this year’s Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show I was the only female judge and in my own workplace I’m the only female in the winery team. To be honest, I have never come across any difficulties. I have always found myself to be given the opportunities of my male colleagues and believe that if you are good at your job you will get noticed and rewarded. What is the best wine you’ve ever made? The 2016 Poole’s Rock Chardonnay because it’s a style of Chardonnay that I love and I want to make. It uses barrel fermentation, lees stirring and partial malolactic fermentation to give a wine texture and weight while retaining beautiful fruit expression. Is there a female figure in the wine world you look up to or find inspirational? Liz Riley, owner and viticulurist of Vitibit, for her extensive knowledge of the Hunter Valley vineyards.
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