Peter Rogge
CULTIVATING A BRIGHT FUTURE
For Peter Rogge, managing vineyards that produce some of Australia’s most awarded wines means staying open to new ideas and building a foundation for future generations.
Peter starts his workday early, often as the sun is still rising over the vines. It’s all part of the job when you work in a vineyard. As Viticulture Manager for Taylors, it’s up to Peter to deliver the top-quality fruit that goes into some of Australia’s best wines. With a true passion for his job and a world of experience, Peter’s brought a fresh perspective to this multigenerational family business, always ready to rethink convention in his pursuit of excellence.
Destined for a life in the vines
Growing up in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales, wine was always part of Peter’s world. He studied viticulture and winemaking after finishing school and quickly fell in love with the industry. Drawn in by the opportunities for international travel, he headed over to New Zealand, where he worked for more than a decade as a viticulture manager for major vineyards in the Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman regions.
In 2017, he joined Taylors (called Wakefield Wines in Europe, the UK and North America), an ever-expanding family business established in the late 1960s. The high-profile wine estate has twice been awarded World’s Best Cabernet, shining the global spotlight on the diverse Clare Valley wine region.
“Here we are really in one of the most diverse spots in the valley,” says Peter. “We’ve got a multitude of elevations, different soil types, different slopes of terrain. We have a diverse climate and we’re very fortunate that we can grow a plethora of varieties.”
Managing the vineyards for such a well-known winery means Peter is always looking for opportunities to do things better – whether through replanting, pruning or dealing with frost, his biggest challenge. He’s got the benefit of generations of knowledge behind him but he’s always ready to innovate and adapt for the future.
“Doing things differently is something that is at the top of my mind all the time,” says Peter. “I always want us to challenge convention and do things that add benefit to what we’re trying to achieve.
“As a family-owned business, there will be generations of Taylors here forever. We’ve got to make sure that whatever we’re putting into the vineyard is going to be there for generations to come.”
“Doing things differently is always at the top of my mind. I always want us to challenge convention to do things better.” – Peter Rogge
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.
