Doug, Kirsty and Pete Balnaves are delighted to announce the appointment of Maddie LeMire as the new winemaker for Balnaves of Coonawarra.
Maddie will join the team just in time for the 2025 vintage, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the winery. She will work closely with Pete Bissell to continue Balnaves’ proud tradition of winemaking excellence.
Maddie has honed her skills in some of the world’s most renowned wine regions, including Burgundy, Pomerol and McLaren Vale, and she completed a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide.
“I’m delighted to join Balnaves of Coonawarra, an icon of the Australian wine industry. I’m honoured to have this opportunity,” Maddie said.
The Balnaves family was excited by the number and quality of applications for the winemaker position and is thrilled to welcome Maddie to the Balnaves of Coonawarra team.
“Maddie’s enthusiasm and passion for the wine industry is a perfect match for Balnaves, on our unwavering quest to produce outstanding wines from the famous Coonawarra region,” the family said.
“We are thrilled to have Maddie as part of the Balnaves of Coonawarra team, heralding a great start to 2025. It’s an exciting time for our family wine company and everyone who loves Balnaves wines.”