Michael’s introduction to wine was working his first job at a wine auctioneers in Perth. 

Over the months of cataloguing and packing bottles, Michael developed a curiosity and passion for all different kinds of wine and how they were made.

Michael pursued this interest and set out to gain formal qualifications in Winemaking at Curtin University in Margaret River, while working as a cellar hand for a local winery. Michael’s love for wine and travel has led him to visit and work in numerous wine regions, including Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon, Napa and Central Otago.

Over the years, through his high level of attention to detail and stringent quality focus, Michael has crafted many award-winning wines from various wine regions, for celebrated brands such as Devil’s Lair, Stella Bella and Wolf Blass. 

As the senior winemaker of Knappstein winery, Michael is proud to be leading the winemaking team in the pursuit of creating top quality premium wines that represent the true expression of the variety and regional influences. As the custodian of some of the best vineyards in the region, Michael is determined to amplify the company’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading premium wine brands.

Michael loves his job and claims that three things make it so: the people – he’s met some interesting characters working in the wine industry; the diversity when working with wine – no day is the same; and Vintage – which he maintains is the most exciting, busy and strenuous time of the year, but nonetheless, the reason he keeps coming back. 

Mike was formerly the Group Red Winemaker at Southcorp Wine Group, where he was responsible for making all Penfold’s red wines, including Grange and St. Henri, Lindemans, Seppelts and Wynns. During this tenure he won at least one trophy at every capital city wine show every year and has won the coveted Jimmy Watson trophy for best young red wine, not just once, but twice!

Mike has over 40 years of industry experience and believes that some of the best wines in the country are being made from the Clare Valley. Mike is proud to be an important part of the Knappstein brand and is excited to see the traditions and quality of the wines continued. He can’t wait to see what the future holds for this pioneering wine brand, knowing that it is firmly in good hands.

Tania is a born and bred Clare Valley local with a passion for all things wine and tourism. With more than 30 years’ experience in the wine and tourism industry, Tania has work in premium regions including the Barossa, Hunter and Clare Valleys before taking on the position of Executive Officer for the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association in 2011. 

Tania has worked closely with the South Australia Wine Industry Association, Australian Grape and Wine, Wine Australia and Primary Industry and Regions SA, representing the Clare Valley on a State and National level.  Her tourism connections include the South Australian Tourism Commission and Regional Development Yorke and Mid North.

Tania joined Knappstein Wines in 2019 and oversees the day to day running of our Tasting Room, D2C activity and is a passionate brand ambassador.