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John O’Connor - Owner Operator |
My fascination and experience with wine began…
Between high school and university I began working at my local winery, Preston’s Kiwifruit Winery/Mills Reef. The Preston’s Kiwifruit winery label has won best New Zealand fruit winery on numerous occasions. This winery helped to fund the Mills Reef Premium Winery, twice winner of ‘Best New Zealand Producer’ and winner of the trophy at the London international wine show for their Syrah.
I began bottling/labeling, working in the warehouse, cellar and giving tasting’s at winery sponsored events. At the same time, I was working nights in the kitchen at Somerset cottage, a gourmet restaurant with a cult following. This become my summer holiday programme throughout my University holidays.
After completing a four year degree in Strategic Management and Marketing, I completed a vintage at Montana Wines in Gisborne, New Zealand’s largest wine producer. Ten months of surfing and snowboarding led me to my back to Mills Reef Winery, where we crushed the first grapes of vintage, before flying solo to Western Australia, namely Margaret River, in search of large, perfect waves and a job!
I managed to get two vintages under my belt at Amberley Wines, which led into cellar door sales and the vineyard, having fallen in love with the South West region. I also worked as bar supervisor at the Bootleg Brewery, one of the South Wests premier tourist attractions.
I began Managing Wine for Dudes, and then took over the business as Owner/Manager/Tour Operator on 1st July 2007. I thoroughly enjoy working in an industry that satisfies my passions in life - wine, travel and meeting people!
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