Brian Croser AO, 1998

Brian Croser AO (b.1949), winemaker, gained a degree in agricultural science before studying oenology in California in the early 1970s. He was head winemaker for Thomas Hardy for four years before establishing the course in wine science in 1976 at what was then Riverina College of Advanced Education (now Charles Sturt University). In that year he also established Petaluma Ltd, and remained its chief winemaker through its takeover by Lion Nathan Wine Group from 2001 – 2014. A mentor to some of Australia's leading winemakers, including Andrew Hardy and Martin Shaw, he was named Man of the Year by the UK magazine Decanter in 2004 and has honorary doctorates from Adelaide and Sturt. He is a winemaker for the family company Tapanappa, South Australia, as well as regaining Petaluma Ltd. His mission to nurture the most expressive and unique terroirs of Australia has seen him become the first Australian winemaker to match grape varieties to regions. Terroir describes the individual characteristic of a vineyard that imparts consistent and unique qualities to the wine, and Croser understands the intricacies behind this in his wine production at Tapanappa. He produces small amounts of chardonnay from The Tiers vineyard; pinot noir from Foggy Hill; and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from The Whalebone.

Kate Gollings’s portrait photographs have appeared regularly in publications including Financial Review Magazine, BRW, Monument, Architecture in Australia and HQ.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds provided by Marilyn Darling AC 2001