The Winemaker

Winemaker Scott McCarthy was born in the wine game. From the moment he was old enough to walk his father had him in the family vineyard picking grapes (according to Scott that was at the ripe old age of 4!)

 

He never really thought about doing else. During summer school holidays he would get a job at one of the big wineries helping out with vintage. Sweeping floors, cleaning out tanks, barrels, you name it Scott did it! All of this provided invaluable experience in the basic wine making process.

 

"Scott’s combination of New World and Old World experience is perfect for what we are about at Helen’s Hill Estate."

Scott then joined Yalumba full time and spent 10 years working mostly in the Barossa. But always looking to expand his knowledge base Scott spent a number of vintages overseas. Finish vintage in the Barossa and then jump on a plane and work vintage in the Northern Hemisphere! Certainly a quick way to rack up a load of experience in the diverse world of wine! Scott spent two vintages in the Napa, two vintages in France (Loire Valley and Languedoc) and four vintages in Marlborough New Zealand.

 

Through his travels he came to realise that making wines from a cool climate region was where his true winemaking passion lay and settled back in Australia at one of the best cool climate regions in the world; the Yarra Valley.

 

Scott’s combination of New World and Old World experience is perfect for what we are about at Helen’s Hill Estate. We want to combine the traditions and passion for making wine the old fashioned way with the newest technology that replicates these methods. Our new winery allows us to achieve these goals.