Drew Tuckwell
PASSION AND PURPOSE
Winemaker Drew Tuckwell has never shied away from a challenge, whether he’s cycling through France or crafting sparkling wines that are helping to define a region.
Drew started his working life as a graphic designer but soon threw it all in for a career in wine. He studied winemaking and learned the ropes in the Hunter Valley and Mudgee wine regions, and travelled the world to learn from important wine producers. These days he’s making prize-winning wines at family-run Printhie Wines in the Orange wine region, and not taking anything for granted.
Playing it cool
After almost 30 years in wine, Drew – a cyclist who rides to raise funds for charity – is still unwaveringly passionate about what he does. And he’s still thinking outside the box.
“It's an incredible privilege to be able to do a job that you can genuinely say you’re passionate about,” says Drew. “I still find so much pleasure in the tastes and smells of wine. And the greatest reward is not the trophies – it’s the fact that someone is willing to fork over their hard-earned cash for something you made.
“But you have to keep adapting, you have to keep interpreting what’s happening in the market, and questioning what you’re doing,” says Drew. “Otherwise, you’ll end up with a shed full of wine that nobody wants.”
In New South Wales’ cool-climate, high-altitude Orange wine region, Drew has been winemaker at Printhie Wines since 2007. It’s a growing wine label making a mark in a fast-evolving region. Printhie’s bright, fresh wines are a product of Drew’s extensive experience and Orange’s unique terroir.
“Some international visitors might have preconceptions of what they’ll find in Australia – beaches and the outback – but Orange is none of those,” says Drew. “It’s an unusual landscape for this part of the world. It’s high, it’s cold.”
Drew’s award-winning wines include aromatic Riesling, elegant Chardonnay and vibrant Shiraz. He’s also turning heads with his premium sparkling wines. His flagship sparkling, under the Swift label, is made using the traditional method and matured for eight years.
“Sparkling wines are always a challenge to make because they’re so transparent; there’s nothing to hide behind,” says Drew. “If you get it wrong, everyone will see that. But I love that challenge.”
“You have to keep adapting, you have to keep questioning what you’re doing. Otherwise, you'll end up with a shed full of wine that nobody wants.” – Drew Tuckwell
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