Ian McKenzie

Ian McKenzie was born 1st December 1942

His work history is as follows:

BCWD Trainee Winemaker 1959-1961
Oenology Student 1961-1963
Oenology Vintage Student 1962-1963, vintages at Gramps and Emu.
BCWD Junior Winemaker 1964-1966
Lubiana Wines Winemaker 1966-1967
BCWD Junior Winemaker 1967-1969
BCWD Assistant Winemaker 1969-1973
BCWD Winemaker 1973-1977
BCWD Technical Manager 1977-1981
CCW Group Technical Manager 1981-1983
Seppelt Chief Winemaker 1983-1991
Southcorp Chief Winemaker 1991- 2002

Ian’s winemaking career began in 1959 as Trainee Winemaker at Berri Co-op Winery and Distillery (BCWD) where he remained for twenty four years, completing a three year Roseworthy Diploma of Oenology in that time and working short stints at Orlando, Lubiana and Emu Wines. During this time he gained a thorough grounding in all facets of wine and brandy production and was appointed Chief Winemaker at BCWD in 1976.

In 1983 Ian joined Seppelt as their Chief Winemaker and Victorian Regional Manager based at the company’s Great Western winery. Following the formation of Southcorp Wines, of which Seppelt was a key brand, he was appointed Southcorp Wines Chief Winemaker in 1991, a position he held until his retirement in April 2001 after which he established a small consulting company. Significant projects completed under his direction were the development of Seppelt Salinger (one of Australia’s most highly regarded sparkling wines) and Penfolds Yattarna (Australia’s most sought after chardonnay)

Currently regarded by many as Australia’s most senior wine judge he has been show judging since the mid 1970s and has been Chairman of Judges for the Canberra National, Adelaide, Perth, ACT, Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Mt. Barker, Hunter Valley, Riverland, Victorian Wines, Ballarat and Lilydale wine shows.

He has been a Tutor at the annual Len Evans Tutorial since its inception in 2001.

From the late 1980s until mid 2004 he was a consultant to QANTAS Airways as a member of their wine selection panel. He has been a Director of The Wine Society since 2004.

Since his retirement from a full time position with Southcorp Wines he has been retained as a Consultant in a number of capacities by various winemakers in Australia, Chile and South Africa.

Ian McKenzie seen here while celebrating the 1 millionth tonne delivered in 1982.