Our People
Robert Heywood
Chief Winemaker
Chief Winemaker Robert Heywood was raised in Victoria’s Western District, not far from Taltarni Vineyards. He found his passion for winemaking early on and as a young flying winemaker, Rob worked vintages all over the world.
Robert has made wine in the maritime-influenced climate and well-drained gravel soils of Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion. In the sunny, diverse microclimates and soils of California’s Napa Valley. And the warm, continental climate and gentle rolling hills of Barossa Valley.
Robert returned home to the Pyrenees more than 12 years ago. He worked at Taltarni for several years before he was appointed Chief Winemaker of sister wineries: award-winning, heritage, Victorian producer, Taltarni Vineyards, located in the spectacular Pyrenees ranges. And renowned, boutique, Sparkling house, Clover Hill, in north-east Tasmania’s pristine Pipers River.
Robert Heywood has helmed winemaking as both wineries maintained 5-Star Halliday Winery status. When Taltarni Vineyards won The Premier’s Trophy for Top Wine in Victoria, Champion Wine of Ballarat Wine Show, Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine of Show, and numerous gold medals at the Victorian Wine Show and the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. And Clover Hill won Best In Class Australian Rosé at Champagne & Sparkling World Championship and the Perpetual Trophy, Blue Gold, and Top 100 at Sydney International Wine Competition.
With two impressive, distinct terroirs and producing méthode-traditionnelle sparkling through to long-lived Shiraz and Bordeaux-blends, there is a common thread that runs through Robert’s winemaking. Great wines are made in the vineyard, with deep respect for individual site’s terroir, meticulous fruit handling, and thoughtful improvement on tradition.
Ben Howell
Senior Winemaker
Growing up on the family farm in the Pyrenees, both agriculture and viticulture were a big part of Ben’s life. After completing college in Maryborough, Ben began his first vintage at Mount Avoca Winery, where he fell in love with the creativity and diversity of making great wine. From this stepping stone into the industry, Ben progressed through the cellar to the position of Operations Winemaker at Mount Avoca, and completed a Bachelor of Wine Science through Charles Sturt University.
In 2006 Ben took a role as Assistant Winemaker at Montara wines in the Grampians, relishing with the chance to work with Pinot Noir and Riesling for the first time.
In January 2016, Ben joined the Taltarni team as Assistant Winemaker and has since moved into a senior winemaker’s position. Ben most enjoys having the opportunity to work with high-quality fruit from the Taltarni Vineyard.