Peter Gago AC

Peter Gago (BSc(Ed)[Melb], BAppSc(Oen)[RAC]) was drawn to the wine industry after eight rewarding years of teaching. A degree in oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College followed, graduating dux of course. English born, Australian educated, Peter lives and breathes wine. In 1989 he joined the then Penfolds Wine Group, working for four years as a sparkling winemaker, before moving to its Red Wine Department to become the Penfolds Oenologist. In 2002 he was promoted to his current role, Penfolds Chief Winemaker. An avid wine collector and taster, he believes it is essential for a winemaker to gain an intimate appreciation of wine style differences and an understanding of a wine¹s development with time. Above all else, he advocates that wine is to be shared and enjoyed.

Peter spends a significant portion of each year travelling extensively to diverse parts of the world spreading the word about wine in every conceivable forum.

Awards cherished by Peter include Winemaker of the Year by the U.S. Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2005), the Winemaker's Winemaker by the Institute of Masters of Wine & Drinks Business Magazine (2012), Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year and Len Evans Award for Leadership (2014), Baron of the Barossa (2015), Bragg Membership of the Royal Institution of Australia (2016) and the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) awarded in 2017 for his outstanding services to the Australian wine industry.