How long have you been guiding?
Since 1998.
What is your favourite winery?
Tough to decide. There are so many good ones. If I had to narrow it down, then I'd choose Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley.
Favourite wine?
Another tough one! Sweet Shiraz from Iron Gate Estate, Hunter Valley.
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I was born in Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney, and grew up in Narrabeen. Most people are familiar with Narrabeen, without even realising it - the Beach Boys hit from the
1960s "Surfin' USA" mentions "Australia's Narrabeen" in the lyrics.
I have been fortunate over the last 10 years to spend my days showing Aussies and overseas visitors to our fair shores. Not only some great wineries, but all the great things
about Australia - from our natural wonders such as the Blue Mountains, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, to our man-made icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House,
and the Great Ocean Road.
In addition to my experiences in Australia, one of my passions is travelling overseas. The countries I have visited include Iran, Syria, Jordan, Greece, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam,
Thailand, Singapore and Spain. In May 2006 I spent five weeks travelling around Europe.
Why do you like working with Boutique Tours?
They have great vehicles, and the small group tours enable me to personalise the day to suit the passengers. We are able to visit the smaller boutique wineries that the bigger groups don't see.
It sounds corny, but the whole company focus is very much toward the passengers, and that makes for a great day for everyone . . . I like that!
How long have you been guiding?
Since 1994.
What is your favourite winery?
Ernest Hill in the Hunter Valley, and Pipers Brook in Tasmania.
Favourite wine?
Many! Including Brokenwood's Mistress Block Shiraz, and Hungerford Hill Tumburumba Chardonnay.
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I'm originally from Far North Queensland and trained as a botanist / naturalist. I worked in National Parks and on tree planting schemes for many years, and have guided in many parts
of Australia. I eventually married a Sydney girl, and now have 2 kids, a boy and a girl. I moved down to Sydney and started doing wine tours in 2001. I liked it so much,
I bought the business!
Why do you like working with Boutique Tours?
Wine tours are great at breaking down barriers. Most people get on the bus as strangers, but by the end of the tour everyone is great friends and working out where they will catch
up for drinks or dinner, and trying to swap email addresses.
How long have you been guiding?
Since April 2009.
What is your favourite winery?
Ernest Hill in the Hunter, and Mt Hurtle in McLaren Vale, SA.
Favourite wine?
Any good Shiraz and De Bortoli’s Noble One (from my home town!)
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
Originally from a wheat and sheep farm at Rankin's Springs in the Riverina area of NSW. I have worked as a weighbridge clerk at the Rankin's Springs wheat silo, a gardener, teacher and a quarantine officer – just to name a few positions! I have a background in horticulture, education and environmental studies. I have a passion for travelling and never tire of experiencing new cultures and new sights.
Why do you like working with Boutique Wine Tours?
The opportunity to showcase a small part of our beautiful country, the chance to meet new people every day, the freedom and flexibility the position provides and last but not least – my office is now the open road!
How long have you been guiding?
Since 1999.
What is your favourite winery?
Can't name just one! Tallavera Grove for the location & ambience; Ernest Hill for the quality of their wines & presentation; and Audrey Wilkinson for their location & presentation.
Favourite wine?
Again, I have to list a few as that very much depends on temperature & mood... In no particular order, Ernest Hill Shareholders Shiraz; Audrey Wilkinson Cabernet-Malbec & Rose; anything from
Petaluma, South Australia I can lay my hands (or mouth) on!
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I was born in Dusseldorf, Germany. I fulfilled my boyhood dream and did an apprenticeship in banking and then worked as a foreign exchange dealer in German banks.
I got itchy feet and wanted to gain some overseas experience and almost moved to San Francisco, but got a last minute offer to work in Sydney. So I cam out to Sydney in 1986 to work as a foreign
exchange dealer. I loved it here from day one, and knew after about 6 months I wasn't going back to Germany. I met a lady from across The Ditch (New Zealand) who became my fiancee, and later my
ex-fiancee (wife!).
In 1996 I became retrenched and decided to make my hobby (4WDing) my profession and set up a 4WD touring company. Fate had it that my wife fell pregnant shortly after my retrenchment, so my
focus shifted from building up a business to making sure I was earning money on a regular basis to support my family (2 kids by now). I worked as a bus driver,
then a coach driver before starting working also as a tour guide for various tour companies.
Why do you like working with Boutique Tours?
I like the fact that Boutique Wine Tours aims to deliver a top quality product (and does not compromise in this endeavour) - the best Hunter Valley tour available. The fact that Ray (the Owner)
still goes out on tours is a bonus, as he'll know what challenges the Guids face on a daily basis.
Going to the wineries every week has broadened my knowledge about wine and the wine industry in general enormously, and I appreciate the finer points in wine much more.
How long have you been guiding?
Since 2000.
What is your favourite winery?
Ernest Hill in the Hunter Valley, and Sevenhill, Clare Valley, South Australia.
Favourite wine?
2006 Pinot Noir Four Mary's Tintilla Hunter Valley NSW; 2002 Shiraz Annie's Lane Clare Valley SA; 2005 Reserve Shiraz Cab. Audrey Wilkinson Hunter Valley NSW; 1998 Cabernet Franc Chateau Cheval Blanc St Emilion FRANCE.
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I'm 36 years old and I was born on the Victorian Coast (Australia). I grew up with my family in a wine region in Bordeaux (South of France). Wine has always been in my life since childhood. I was 7 years old when I did my first grape picking in the Saint Emilion region (South of France). It was a magical experience, especially crushing the purple grapes, barefoot in a large wooden trailer with the girls!! As I grew up all my senses for wine became alive. Then I travelled extensively in some fabulous locations around the world for over 8 years including some grape picking back in Bordeaux (Saint Emilion, Medoc, Sauterne), Germany (Rheingau, Wurttemberg) and Hungary (Tokay, Etyek Buda).
After many Desert crossings in various parts of Africa I became a 4x4 Desert Safari Specialist in the Red Centre of Australia for the following 8 years focusing on Aboriginal Culture, Geology aspects of the Land and its Wildlife. I started to do Wine Tours in 2002 including the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia before increasting my passion and knowledge to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. I have lived in Sydney for the last 4 years and have a strong passion in tourism, travel, people, culture, geology, wildlife, photography and of course wine . . . and fromage!!
Why do you like working with Boutique Tours?
I have found an outlet in translating people, life, happiness and friendship through wine. Boutique Wine Tours gives me a fantastic opportunity to mix all my passion with wine which is pretty much in my blood since I was a kid. Also, Ray and Annalise Andrews (the Owners) give their Guides the chance to select any wineries between the 140 Wine Cellars available in the Hunter Valley to deliver a better understanding of the Terroir, the Vigneron's process of wine making and to sample the different grape variety itself. It is a great and unique opportunity to bring my passengers to some of the best exclusive wineries and sceneries of the Hunter Valley.