Producer Profile: Victor Nash

VICTOR NASH

Consultant Winemaker

Grapegrower & Winemaker has been a valuable resource for me over the years. It is a valuable source of professional development content which is very limited for Australian Winemakers.

Victor Nash on the Grapegrower & Winemaker

How did you get your start in wine? I started in wine as a shop attended in one of the original Vintage Cellars stores in Sydney (pre- Coles). This store had an enormous fine wine section, with a “wall of d’Yquem” and a “Grange room” with every vintage and variant ever produced. My interest in making wine developed form there.

What is the best thing about working in the wine sector?

The wine industry involves so many specific fields of expertise, and the people who are these experts come from all walks of life. Experiencing the diversity of people and skills to make a wine business a success can be very satisfying. Globally there is such a diversity of wine produced that there is never and end to having new wine experiences!

What have been some of the highlights of your career in wine? Possibly the biggest highlights have been seeing younger staff develop into a good career. I’ve encouraged a number of people over the years to further their education, and watching their careers develop beyond a level they thought they may achieve are proud moments. From a purely winemaking aspect, being the only Victorian winemaker to win the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge trophy in 2010 would have to be my winemaking highlight.

What are some characteristics of Australian wine that help it stand out from other countries?

For a long time the base line standard of Australian wines has generally been very high. Wine faults in commercially produced wines had largely disappeared. This helped Aussie wines become as globally successful as they are. This standard of reliability is possibly not matched by any other country.

How have you been able to explore viticulture throughout your career and across different regions? Within Australia, I have worked in SA, NSW, and Victoria. Most of my career has been in in Victoria and over the years I have made wine from many varieties in most regions of Victoria. It is through first hand winemaking experience that I have explored viticulture through regions. Through international travel I have been able of learn about old world viticulture in contrast to how most vineyards are managed in Australia.

What are some of the challenges involved with being a part of the winemaking sector? The wine production side of the industry is not for the faint hearted. It often requires long hours, at unpleasant times of the day, and normally during the best holiday periods of the year. It is definitely not a lifestyle career!

What would be your advice to someone just entering the industry? If you’re looking for a romance career you won’t find it here!

What place do alternative varieties have in the Australian wine industry? (I’m not sure I like the term “alternate” what does it really mean?) Varieties which are perhaps less commonly planted in Australia should be explored. As our industry matures, each region learns more about itself and what wines it can make best. Some regions may find they can make great wines from less commonly grown varieties, and this should lead to a more interesting wine market for consumers. Our industry is still very dominated by a few key varieties, more diversity is important to promote and celebrate!