Richard Mattner
BOLD BAROSSAN
Barossa to the core, winemaker Richard Mattner has a passion for Aussie Shiraz. He’s also turned food and wine matching on its head.
Steak and Shiraz are a popular match. In the Barossa Valley wine region, Richard has taken this pairing to a new level with wines created to heighten the experience. As chief winemaker for Pepperjack, Richard sources fruit from the length and breadth of the region he loves. His bold, food-friendly wines are a modern take on the Barossa’s rich heritage and traditional winemaking.
Back where it all began
Richard preferred the sporting field to the vineyard when he was growing up in the Barossa Valley. A reluctant grape-picker in his grandfather’s vineyard during school holidays, wine was just part of life. But things changed, and after finishing high school, Richard was working full-time in the industry and loving it.
“Any way I could get out of working in the vineyard, I would,” says Richard. “But to find my way back to the vineyard, it’s fantastic.”
A wine science graduate, Richard honed his craft alongside some of Australia’s best red winemakers. He worked at the renowned Wolf Blass winery, near where he grew up, for over 13 years before joining Pepperjack in 2007. Part of the historic Saltram winery, Pepperjack wines are red, rich and full of flavour. Shiraz is front and centre.
“Shiraz is the king of the Barossa,” says Richard. “We have so many little parcels of unique Shiraz vines, and that’s what excites me about going to work and making wine.”
Shiraz is known for being an ideal match for red meat, but Richard has taken this one step further. Working with the head chef at the winery’s restaurant, Richard has created two styles of Shiraz to pair perfectly with specific cuts of steak.
“Traditionally, people have made wines and then matched food to them, but working backwards and making wines that match food is really exciting,” says Richard.
These are wines that reflect their maker – likeable, full of personality and Barossa to the core.
“Wine is the heart and soul of the Barossa,” says Richard. “Growing up, I might not have enjoyed being in the vineyard to start with, but now wine is a passion, it’s a love. And I’m probably in the best place in the world to do it.”
The Barossa has so many little parcels of unique Shiraz vines, and that’s what excites me about going to work and making wine.” – Richard Mattner
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