Andrew Duff | Winemaker
Meet Andrew Duff, our new Winemaker at Briar Ridge Vineyard. Andrew’s journey into the world of winemaking began at a young age, with fond memories of family trips to the Hunter Valley. His passion for the industry was further ignited during his work experience at Reynolds Yarraman Winery and Wybong Estate when he was just 15.
Andrew pursued his dream by completing his Wine Science degree at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. He honed his skills by working vintages at various wineries in New Zealand and Australia, including Tyrrell’s in the Hunter Valley and Church Road Winery in Hawkes Bay.
In 2008, Andrew returned to the Hunter Valley and joined Tempus Two as an assistant winemaker. He admired the McGuigan family and the high standard of wines they produced. Andrew later worked at other leading Hunter Valley wineries such as Tower Estate, Poole’s Rock and just recently Hart & Hunter.
Andrew’s career highlights include being a scholar at the revered Len Evans Tutorial in 2022 and being part of the 2023 cohort of Wine Australia’s Future Leaders. These achievements reflect his dedication and commitment to the industry.
At Briar Ridge Vineyard, Andrew is excited about championing the portfolio and playing with some really exciting alternative varieties such as Albarino and Fiano. He believes in the potential of locally produced wines and hopes to see more of them on major cities’ wine lists.
Andrew’s journey reflects his passion for winemaking and his patience in mastering his craft. His story is a testament to his dedication to the industry and his commitment to producing high-quality wines. As one of the Future Leaders of the Australian grape and wine sector, Andrew Duff is certainly a name to watch in the industry.
