Winemaker Adam Richardson strikes gold…
Sometimes, when you get the news that someone you know has moved to another opportunity, you just get so excited for that person.
One of the nicest winemakers I’ve met in life is winemaker Adam Richardson. We were both working with Concannon Vineyard at the time, so I got to write his biography, learning a lot about him right away. Then, I watched him explode with responsibilities, traveling the world as a global winemaker… Harvesting in the Northern Hemisphere from August to November; and, off to harvesting in the Southern Hemisphere during our winter months of February into our spring. Adam had it all.
Very important to also know is that Adam is an energetic Aussie…
From an exclusive story written in Shanken News: Exclusive: Treasury Wine Estates Americas Taps Wine Group Veteran As New Chief Winemaker
It writes: Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has named Adam Richardson vice president and chief winemaker for its Americas brands, Shanken News Daily has learned. Richardson will oversee winemaking for Treasury’s U.S. labels, which include Beringer Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean, Stags’ Leap Winery, Etude, Souverain, St. Clement and Meridian Vineyards, among others.
Why am I not surprised? And… thankful… Treasury Wine Estates in the parent company for Stags’ Leap Winery. I work with Stags’ leap Winery through my PS I Love You group. When Fosters bought Stags’ Leap Winery, I thought, based on many past experiences with other buy-outs, “Okay, there goes the membership.” I was wrong. They maintained it, supporting my marketing efforts on behalf of their signature variety (Petite Sirah) of Stags’ Leap… And, now I can work with Adam once more, in that he’ll easily take my calls… G’day!
Things I learned about Adam Richardson
A veteran Rhone-style specialist, Richardson has extensive experience in winemaking in California, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa. It’s quite possible that Concannon got him involved elsewhere. This is where he was at when we last spoke. Adam received his winemaking degree from Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia, and has been a member of winemaking teams for such super-premium wineries as Rancho Zabaco, Anapamu Cellars, MacMurray Ranch, and Mirassou in California. Prior to moving to the U.S. in 1998, Richardson worked for d’Arenberg, Oakridge Estate, Normans, and Miranda wineries in Australia. An accomplished and passionate winemaker, Richardson brought a focused approach to crafting super-premium wines to Concannon Vineyard. Adam helped Concannon as they constructed their $35 Million winery.
In addition to his winemaking experience, Richardson has been closely involved in winemaking and viticultural research, and was an invited guest speaker at the 1999 and 2001 American Society of Enology & Viticulture symposiums. He worked with Concannon from 2005 until now… 2013.
As a winemaker and lover of wine, Richardson seeks out roles that challenge and excite him, and he was pleased that his position at Concannon Vineyard engages him, both as the winemaker and general manager. Not only has Richardson accumulated many years of super-premium wine making, but he’s an experienced researcher. Most notably, prior to Concannon Vineyard, Richardson led winemaking research for a top American producer. He was responsible for the management, coordination and design of research, and experimental winemaking operations in support of the company’s statewide research program.
From 1986 to 1996, Richardson worked as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy, being stationed in New South Wales, obtaining eight years of operational flying experience in helicopter squadrons. After holding positions as a search and rescue specialist and instructor of helicopter warfare operations, he spent time as business and personnel manager of a major naval base.
This diverse leadership background has given Richardson skills that segue well into any management career, making him perfectly suited to the Treasury Wine Estates leadership team, and I’m so delighted for him.
Congrats, my friend! It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
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