Celebrating International Women’s Day – Friday 5th March 2021

Check out the six bottle mixed case here

Name: Leanne De Bortoli

Job within the wine trade: Third generation family member and manager of De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate

How long have you been in this role/wine trade? Over 30 years

What made you want to get in to this area of work and what drives you to stay in it?
It was our family business and for most of my life I have lived in a vineyard, opposite the winery. I suppose you could say I entered the industry through gentle osmosis. I enjoy wine, the people and the lifestyle and I still live opposite a winery.

What is your wine career highlight?
Growing our Yarra Valley vineyard into one of the jewels of this region.

If someone wanted to get into the wine industry, what would your advice be?
Start with a lot of money! And passion. And drink lots of wine

5 quick fire questions – Up Close and Personal

1. Favourite food and wine match? Chardonnay and pan-fried John Dory whether it is Chablis or our own A5 Single Vineyard Chardonnay. (found in the mixed case here)

2. Have you got tattoos if so, how many.. if not, are you tempted? No, no and never although years ago I did tell my two daughters if they EVER decided to get a tattoo I would get one first so then it wouldn’t be so cool for them. It seems to have worked.

3. What did you want to be when you were growing up? An artist

4. What is your favourite season? Hmm,I appreciate them all but I think Autumn nudges a little past the others. Warm days, cool nights, the vintage bedded down for another year, enjoying the produce from my veggie garden.

5. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be? Harmony and respect for all people regardless of background and beliefs.

For Covid-19 to magically disappear the way of the dinosaurs.

And a never-ending supply of chocolate

Name: Kate Webber

Job within the wine trade: Assistant winemaker at De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley and fourth generation family member.

How long have you been in this role/wine trade? Nearly 2 years in this role, but a few extra years in the winery cellar and lab.

What made you want to get in to this area of work and what drives you to stay in it?
Like my mum Leanne, I was born into the wine world. I didn’t always want to work in it but after study, travel and some time working elsewhere I realised it was where I wanted to be- it’s such a fabulous industry to be a part of!

What is your wine career highlight?
Still early days but I do get to meet some interesting people and drink lots of interesting wine (especially out of mum and dad’s cellar).

If someone wanted to get in to the wine industry, what would your advice be? 
Do a vintage in a winery, and taste as much as possible!

5 quick fire questions – Up Close and Personal!

1. Favourite food and wine match? A chicken roast with a Pinot Noir or Gamay.

2. Have you got tattoos if so, how many.. if not, are you tempted? No tattoos for now and I can’t say if there are any on the horizon. My mum might be reading this….

3. What did you want to be when you were growing up? An architect or a musical theatre star.

4. What is your favourite season? Autumn! Lots of colours, milder temperatures and you can start pulling your fabulous coats and boots out of the back of the wardrobe.

5. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?  To see my friends, interstate and overseas, who I haven’t seen in the past year or so.

A relaxing holiday.

A pet whippet (I am trying to convince my mum and dad that they might like to co-parent a dog with me)