our people

Peter Bissell - Winemaker

BSc Hons (1st Class) in Biochemistry 1982. Diploma in Oenology & Viticulture 1988, Roseworthy College, South Australia.

Pete began winemaking as part of his honors thesis, looking at colour extraction in Pinot Noir wines in the new cool climate region of Canterbury, New Zealand in 1981.

Pete then spent a year and a half in France working as assistant oenologist for A Moueix et Fils in Libourne who owns Ch. Fonplegade (St Emilion) and Chateau Moulinet (Pomerol), amongst others. He also worked in the laboratory and tasting rooms outside vintage and in the cellars more...

Doug Balnaves - General Manager

Doug was born in Penola and attended the Penola Area School. Although his initial working life was spent in the Sheep Industry he became involved in the wine industry in 1971 when he was offered the position of Development Manager of the vineyard to be developed in Coonawarra by Hungerford Hill. After 17 years with Hungerford Hill he left that company to establish a vineyard development and management company in 1988. In 1990 their two children Kirsty and Peter joined Doug and his wife Annette in the business. Doug has been involved more...

Annette Balnaves - Director of Balnaves

After working in her career as a nursing Sister in Australia and overseas, Annette married Doug and settled in Coonawarra in 1967. For many years she was part of the Cellar Door Sales group at Balnaves. Annette relinquished much of this work in 1998 when she took on the formidable task of Chair of the Limestone Coast Tourism Association. Annette's efforts for tourism were recognized when she received the Harry Dowling Award. This award is made to people who have made an out standing contribution to tourism. Annette's life is currently fully more...

Kirsty Balnaves - Director Marketing & Finance

Kirsty was born in Penola, and after finishing her education she spent time in Broken Hill and then in Tasmania at Cradle Mountain. Returning to Adelaide, Kirsty attended university where she studied Marketing and management. In 1990 Kirsty joined the family company to take over the responsibilities for marketing Balnaves wines and also the General Administration. Kirsty was an active member of the Coonawarra Vigneron's committee until the arrival of her two small children, Ellie and Annie. As with all of the Balnaves clan, Kirsty juggles work, family and community to achieve more...

Pete Balnaves - Viticulturist

Pete was also born in Penola, and on completing his education he worked for a Mildura winery and then returned to Balnaves in 1990. He is the Vineyard manager for Balnaves Vineyard services P/L and is currently responsible for some 550 Ha of vineyards in Coonawarra, including the Balnaves vineyards. Pete has been the chairman of the Coonawarra Grape Growers Association and Chair of the technical committee of the Limestone coast wine Industry Council. Pete is married to Amelia and they have two young sons, Hugo and Ned.