Brett Sharpe
Brett Sharpe’s life in wine has come full circle: the first red wine he ever tasted was from Lindeman’s, and that’s where he works today, crafting top drops and leading Coonawarra into the future.
Brett came to winemaking later in life than many, but he hasn’t looked back. As the acclaimed winemaker for pioneering wine brand Lindeman’s in Coonawarra, Brett has kept quality sky high for over two decades. He’s not afraid to make big changes to keep Lindeman’s at the forefront, and he’s set his sights high for the Coonawarra wine region too.
Twists and turns
A winemaking career was never on the cards for Brett, who worked as a horticulturist in Sydney for many years. It was when he headed overseas and worked in an Austrian winery that he discovered a passion for growing vines, picking fruit and turning it into wine.
Brett worked in some of Australia’s best-known regions, and then one night sipped an iconic red wine from Coonawarra, and had an epiphany.
“A friend and I had a bottle of 1976 Lindeman’s Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cabernet one night with pizza, and that was a lightbulb moment for me,” says Brett. “I thought, if this is as good as red wine can be, then this is the place for me.”
It was a poetic twist, since Lindeman’s was also the first red wine, he’d ever drunk.
In 1998, Brett arrived in South Australia’s famous Coonawarra wine region.
“The intention was to stay just a little while to get some experience, but then I realised what a magnificent region it is,” he says. “The wines that we make here are world class, and it’s the place where I’ve had my family. It’s home.”
As winemaker for Lindeman’s, Brett crafts award-winning wines from three renowned vineyards: Limestone Ridge, St George Vineyard and Nursery Vineyard. The latter is where Coonawarra’s founder John Riddoch planted vines in the 1800s.
With so much history behind the brand, Brett also recognises the importance of looking ahead. Over the past several years, he and the viticulture team have been rejuvenating the vineyards, replanting vines to improve fruit quality.
“Our wines are just getting better and better,” says Brett. “From when I came here in 1998 to now our wines are much brighter. They’re fresher. They are wines which age and satisfy for such a long time, and I’m happy to say that I’ve been at least a part of that.
“I think the future for Coonawarra is bright. We are looking to take the number one spot as the premier red wine producing region of Australia in the next decade.”
Lindeman’s Coonawarra wines are getting better and better. They age and satisfy for such a long time, and I’m happy to say that I’ve been at least a part of that.” – Brett Sharpe
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