McWilliam’s Wines is proud to announce the appointment of Jim Chatto to the role of McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker, based at Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley. Jim has become only the fourth Chief Winemaker based at Mount Pleasant since Maurice O’Shea established the Hunter Valley winery in 1921.
Jim’s appointment will see him responsible for the winemaking and stylistic direction of all McWilliam’s wines across its Australian portfolio, and follows the retirement of Phil Ryan in 2012. Jim will be working with the key Senior Winemakers at each site and he joins the team following time spent as a consultant with McWilliam’s throughout the 2013 vintage.
Jim joins McWilliam’s from Pepper Tree wines where he has held the position of Chief Winemaker since 2007. During this time he was named 2009 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, as well a 2010 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year finalist.
With 20 vintages of Hunter Valley winemaking experience, Jim is also a senior wine show judge with over 14 years experience across both regional and capital city show and has been Chairman of Judges at the Hunter Valley Wine Show since 2012.
For more information, contact McWilliams Mount Pleasant on (02) 4998 7505.