Our People

They say that it is the people who make a business. Who "they" are has always been unclear to me, but "they" certainly are right.

Sure a winery is about the vine and the wine, the terroir and the climate, but never underestimate the importance of the animated human versus the inanimate object.

People are the heart and soul of the wine industry. People tend the vines lovingly throughout the year. People meld and coerce the finest qualities out of the fruit and after all it is people that meet you with a smile and a glass of Vues Sparkling when you walk in our front door.

So who are these people.

Peter Hollick and Helen Pattison own Tuck's Ridge.

They are often around the place but most of the time they are enjoying the experience in much the same way you all do; drinking and eating. So be wary the next time you are talking to a new friend at Tuck's Ridge it might just be that the ear you are talking into is connected to the body that keeps us all happy. It has been a labour of love for Peter and Helen but one that they have both confronted with loyalty, honesty and a glass of Pinot Noir never far from hand.

Peter Bessey and Matthew Bisogni are the general managers.

Peter working as rarely as needed and as often as his heavy golf schedule allows. The things that Peter does not know about wine are mostly untrue and the aspects of the winery business that Peter disagrees with are simply yet to be realised by the greater public. Peter has a rich, long and successful history of winery management. Previously leading the teams at both Massoni and Red Hill Estate. He is also the proud father of Goodrich wines which some of you may have enjoyed out and about.

Matthew is a face most visitors to the cellar door will recognise. He tends to be loud and pushy and it is said that he never shuts up. In fact the staff claim to have heard him talk under water with ice in his mouth. He too has enjoyed time at other local operations previously managing T'Gallant's restaurant and Mantons Creek. As Matthew often says when pressed, "he has been at the rest it was time to move to the best". The fact that he still calls Tuck's Ridge home speaks volumes for how good an operation it is and how beautifully the glove fits.

Tiffany Hunt our new mum and Peninsula sales manager. Tiffany is a name and face some of you may know. However if you have ever enjoyed Tuck's Ridge wines out on the Peninsula then Tiffany's hard work is responsible. Even though she chooses currently to change nappies her influence in all we do here is in no way diminished.

Wendy Coad our newest core staff member is more likely to be a voice over the phone than a face behind the bar. Wendy came to us after years of assisting building up a family plumping business and enjoys far more the aroma of our wine rather then the smell of her husbands work gear when he walks in the door of an evening.

Verona Richmond is our Cellar Door Supervisor.

There may well be better laughs to be heard but truth be known once you have enjoyed the unbridled passion of a Verona laugh you would be crazy to keep looking. Verona has a connection with our wines that is hard to define. Our 2005 Sangiovese has Verona's influence all over it, if you listen carefully to a newly opened bottle of Sangiovese you can just make out Verona screaming at her kids to come in for dinner. Now that's terroir at its most subtle.

Our Cellar Door staff are numerous and perhaps you should aim to have a tasting with each an every one of them each year. They are

Marty Nelson Williams international musical superstar and long time lover of Tuck's Ridge.

Christina Adams a stand up comedienne who is always looking for more material

Prue Briggs a vigneron from the region who has overseen more wine making than panadol can ever help with.

Finally the gardens of the vineyard are maintained by Jason Martell.

Matthew Little operates our cafe.

Matthew took over the operation of the cafe early 2005. Having been involved with Blue Tongue and the Wine Larder up in town Matthew will be known to many of you.

Leonie Steele is our new cafe manager. Working closely with Matthew Little Leonie will ensure your time at Tuck's Ridge is memorable in every way. When not making you feel like royalty Leonie will be looking after any or all of her many pets, including dogs horses and poultry.

Steve Dividson is our new chef. Once the proud owner of the first and only Chefs Hat on the Peninsula whilst at The Vines Steve has an amazing understanding of the local food and wine industry and has been such a lover of Tuck's Ridge over the years that he can pretty much taste the wines even when he is asleep.