People
Ian and Wendy planted their first vines in 1975. With daughters Mel and Kate now back in the family business, the whole family is intimately involved with day to day operations.
Ian Hollick
Today Ian oversees the 50,000 case production winery and vineyards that they founded and developed and devotes much time and energy utilising his experience on industry representative bodies. When not travelling or working Ian can be found on the golf course or tending to his prize winning tomatoes. |
Wendy Hollick - Cellar Door Manager
Wendy is a passionate wine educator and wine tourism oracle and has served on the South Australian Wine Tourism advisory board. She was a key driving force behind the development of the restaurant at Hollick, and a keen proponent for the synergy between wine and food. |
Mel Hollick - Sales & Marketing Manager
However, the desire to return home beckoned and in 2006, Mel returned to Coonawarra to spear head the sales and marketing for Hollick Wines. Mel manages the marketing and sales function for Hollick, for the Australian and overseas markets, working closely with the Hollick Cellar Door and distribution partners around the world. Mel is passionate about working within the business which her parents established and is committed to continuing the Hollick tradition of making wines which set the benchmark for Coonawarra and Australia. Prior to joining Hollick in 2006, Mel spent two years in the UK, where she completed a successful stint as Brand Manager for Regional Wines for Fosters. Before travelling to the United Kingdom, Mel worked as an Assistant Brand Manager at Wolf Blass and has held varied roles which have given her valuable exposure to the retail, wholesale and production channels. Mel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Wine Business both from the University of Adelaide. |
Kate Hollick - Administration Manager
In 2006, the allure of returning home to Coonawarra was too great for Kate. She has since taken on the role of Administration manager at Hollick Wines and is responsible for the day to day administrative operations in the Coonawarra office and cellar door. Kate's passion for fine wine and food also sees her taking an active role in the management of South Australia's finest restaurant in a winery, Upstairs at Hollick. Kate enjoys the challenges and diversity of her role and is passionate about continuing the Hollick standards of excellence in everything they do. |
Matt Caldersmith - Winemaker
In 2004, the lure of working with Coonawarra Cabernet enticed Matt to Coonawarra into a winemaking role at Hollick. Since joining Hollick, Matt has been able to broaden his skillset, working with the fourteen grape varietals which Hollick grow, while staying true to his passion for cool climate wines in particular Coonawarra Cabernet. Matt believes that passion, fine attention to detail, and taking a global perspective on winemaking from the vineyard to the bottle are critical in making the world class wines which Hollick has become famous for. Matt brings to Hollick a passion for creating wines that embody the perfect balance between the outstanding quality of Hollick fruit and the unique Coonawarra terroir, something that Hollick Wines refer to as ‘Pride of Place.’ |
Stuart Sharam - Vineyard Manager
As well as chasing chooks around and growing prime organic veggies for the restaurant, Stuart has a penchant for thoroughbreds, and is still seeking his first fast one. |
Ian's involvement with viticulture goes way back to his childhood in Mildura as the son of a soldier settler fruit blocker. After studying Agricultural Science at Dookie Agricultural College, and a tenure with Mildara Wines Coonawarra as national vineyard manager, Ian and Wendy launched Hollick Wines in 1983.
A trained teacher, Wendy is the Cellar door manager and is more often than not found at the counter imparting her considerable knowledge to visitors.
Curiosity and the need to understand Australian and world wine markets have taken Mel Hollick around the world and have encouraged her to work in varied roles overseas and within the Australian wine industry.
Kate's congenial nature and love of fine wine and food have seen her take on front of house and management roles in some of Melbourne's finest restaurants. After completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Tourism at LaTrobe University, Melbourne's dynamic restaurant scene beckoned and Kate honed her management skills in the gastronomic surrounds of Melbourne.
Matt Caldersmith developed a passion for Coonawarra Cabernet whilst working in Edinburgh Cellars, in Adelaide, South Australia. Following a tasting of aged Coonawarra Cabernets, Matt was struck by their purity, elegance and ability to age. Working at d’Arenberg, Rosemount and Petaluma during his studies, Matt gained a vast array of experience in practical winemaking techniques. Upon graduating from the University of Adelaide with a degree in Oenology with First Class Honours, Matt worked as assistant winemaker at the highly acclaimed Forest Hill Vineyards in Denmark, Western Australia. Under the tutelage of some of the best winemakers in the country, Matt was able to hone his winemaking skills and develop his interest in making cool climate wines.
Local boy Stuart cut his teeth in the vineyards of the Redman family before joining the team at Hollick in 2002.