Following a stint in McLaren Vale Stuart first joined St Hallett in 1972 in an era when fortified wine was king. In 1975 Stuart travelled to South Africa to diversify his winemaking experience. A three year sabbatical turned into a seven year stint in Africa where he established a winery in Zimbawe (known then as Rhodesia) and met his wife Faith. He returned to Australia and St Hallett in 1984 and has fulfilled many roles at the winery including General Manager, Chief Winemaker and Head Greenkeeper. During this time he has overseen a shift to table wine and has established St Hallett as one of Barossa’s iconic producers of Shiraz and Riesling.
Stuart’s wines have received many accolades in domestic and international wine shows throughout his career and he was recognised as ‘Barossa Winemaker of the year’ by his peers in 2003 and became a Baron of the Barossa in the same year. Stuart prefers to cite the evolution in style and quality of St Hallett wines and the broad distribution into some of the world’s finest restaurant as his proudest achievements. The pedigree and esteem of Old Block shiraz and Blackwell Shiraz are a testament to his abilities and commitment to the Barossa and St Hallett.
