Martin Sampson
PURELY PASSIONATE
At Mornington Peninsula’s Yabby Lake Vineyard, viticulturist Martin Sampson meticulously nurtures each grapevine to produce pristine fruit that reflects the sunlight, the sea and the seasons.
Martin watched the Yabby Lake vineyard grow up around him, from a bare patch of dirt 20 years ago to a thriving vineyard producing award-winning wines. Renowned for their elegant wines of great purity, Yabby Lake’s winemakers rely on Martin’s skill – it’s his care and attention in the vineyard that’s most critical to the success of this high-profile winery.
Natural talent
With a background in horticulture, Martin’s passion for growing grapes hasn’t wavered. Year round you’ll find him getting his hands dirty in the vineyard, from planting to pruning to harvest.
“The grapevine is an amazing plant,” he says. “It’s just so diverse in how it grows and all the different varieties.”
Knowing the vineyard as intimately as Martin does helps him to produce the best-quality fruit possible, allowing Yabby Lake’s winemakers to take a hands-off approach to crafting wines that reflect the vineyard and each unique season.
“The most satisfying time for me is when I know that the season’s work is nearly over and there’s a quality product on the vine,” says Martin. “No disease, no pests. And it’s given to the winery in perfect condition.”
But Martin’s extensive experience doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. His favourite wine to drink is made from the most difficult grape to grow: Pinot Noir. This sensitive vine requires extra care and skill in the vineyard, and Martin has it down to a fine art.
Pinot Noir is the star of the scenic Mornington Peninsula wine region, where Martin can often be found surfing, boating and fishing, when he’s not spending time with his family. He loves the region for its unspoilt nature and varied landscape.
“The diversity of the Peninsula is amazing,” he says. “We have all these little microclimates, areas where we grow grapes down here on the flat lands and then up on the hill.”
It’s a pristine corner of the world that allows Martin to produce top-notch fruit for Yabby Creek’s pure, single-vineyard wines.
“Australian wines have the sunlight and the sea in them,” says Martin. “Especially these wines here on the Peninsula. They’re beautiful wines.”
“Australian wines have the sunlight and the sea in them. Especially these wines here on the Peninsula. They’re beautiful wines.” – Martin Sampson
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