Hamish Maguire
Australia
Hamish's Wines
- Australia
- 2Â wines
- 1Â style
Naked Angels make his dream a reality
- Hamish has been working in vineyards since he was old enough to pick up a spade. His father was a Winemaker so Hamish and his brothers spent much of their youth pulling weeds and training young vines.
- Decades later and his weed pulling experience looks has stood him in pretty good stead. Hamish now runs his own winery in Australia's prestigious McLaren Vale, which Hamish (and a fair few of you would agree) has dubbed one of the best wine regions in the world.
- Tasty, juicy and balanced are the key criteria for every last drop of Hamish's wines. Working predominantly with McLaren's Shiraz and Grenache grapes, you can rely on Hamish to pull powerful and outrageously delicious big reds out of the bag time after time.
Hamish Maguire's Story
What's your background?
I grew up in a wine family, my father was a wine maker and my brothers and I spend our youth training vines, pulling weeds and checking drippers.
Why did you become a winemaker?
I initially wanted a career in business but after study, felt myself pulled back to my agricultural roots and have found a job that allows me to mix outdoor pursuits with the cut and thrust of the business world.
How long have you been making wine?
20 years seriously, but have been in and around cellars for over 30 years.
What is it about your job that you love?
Firstly I love the weather, I love being outside and I love the flow of the seasons. Making wine is more about how the seasons run into each other and the tasks that are required as we move from Spring, through Summer and into Autumn. I like the connections that wine brings and I love the people that work with me along the way.
What makes your wines special?
We are in Mclaren Vale, one of the best regions to grow wines in the world. Blending: We make a lot of wine, having option swhen it comes to blending the final product allows us to really experiment and put together tasty, juicy, balanced wines.
Which varietal / style is your passion and why?
Being in Mclaren Vale we are pretty big red wine fans. Whether its juicy Grenache, powerful Shiraz or varietal Cabernet, we love the balance and flavour this wonderful region brings. Blending in unusual varietals, or non traditional mixes is what the Engine Room is about.
Any tales of joy or sorrow along the way?
There is always things that could have been better, moments of hindsight that help you see a challenge more quickly but I am not one to dwell. You need to be able to make decisions quickly in business (wine) and then stand by your convictions. Its a thrill when we win trophy's but its just as bigger thrill to have an Angel to contact me to say that a particular wine was served at their wedding or other family celebrations. It makes you realise how much joy wine can bring.
Why did you join?
I have been a Naked Winemaker since 2012, it has allowed me to listen to the Angels and blend wines that I hope are juicy and delicious. We have grown our little brand to be bigger than we thought and the security of the annual sales has allowed us to make long term commitments to growers and suppliers.
