Glen Hayley
UNEARTHING THE TRUTH
Glen Hayley’s mission is to tell the truth. His gentle, hands-off winemaking style results in dynamic wines that honestly reflect each season and the place where they were grown. No hiding.
Having worked at wineries in France, Germany, the US and New Zealand, as well as Victoria and South Australia, Glen found himself living just an hour’s drive from his hometown of Melbourne. In the exciting Mornington Peninsula wine region, he crafts acclaimed wines that express the diversity and complexity of this scenic seaside region.
Place of origin
The great wine regions of the world know what they do best and that’s what they stick to. So it is in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the undisputed stars and Pinot Gris plays the supporting role.
As a young winemaker, with a Viticulture and Oenology degree in hand and global experience to his name, these were the varieties Glen was most passionate about. And that’s what drew him to the cool-climate Mornington Peninsula around a decade ago.
“I reckon Mornington is the perfect place,” says Glen. We’ve got the coast, the water, the weather, the proximity to Melbourne. And then the community. Everyone knows everyone, everyone’s working together, we’re all part of Team Mornington.”
Glen Hayley’s mission is to tell the truth. His gentle, hands-off winemaking style results in dynamic wines that honestly reflect each season and the place where they were grown.
Glen joined the award-winning Kooyong Winery and Port Phillip Estate as a winemaker in 2010, becoming Chief Winemaker five years later. His winemaking philosophy is centred on authenticity, on expressing place and season through his wines.
All processes happen onsite – growing the grapes, making the wine, bottling. Glen takes a minimal-intervention approach to preserve the natural character of each wine.
“To me, wines are like children,” he says. “You can guide them, but Mother Nature is going to change things that you can’t dictate. And then one day you put them in the bottle and send them out and people enjoy them, when and how they want, and you’ve just got to live with it.”
Having been part of the Australian wine community for around two decades, Glen has seen how far it’s come and is excited for what’s ahead.
“Australian wine is dynamic, there’s just so much happening now. We’re not tied down by rules or regulations and I think there’s a lot of freedom in that. It’s liberating in a sense, because you’re allowed to do what you want.”
“Australian wine is dynamic, there’s just so much happening now. We’re not tied down by rules or regulations and I think there’s a lot of freedom in that.” – Glen Hayley
Disclaimer
This information is presented in good faith and on the basis that Wine Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given via this channel.
