Richard Rowe joined Wills Domain Wines as consultant winemaker in late 2017.

Richard has over 35 years of winemaking experience, and has worked in most premium wine regions in Australia. Internationally he has completed vintages in France, Germany and South Africa.

He has a Degree in App. Sci. in Oenology from Charles Sturt University, and a Horticultural Diploma.

Richard first came to Margaret River in 2003, as Chief Winemaker for Evans & Tate, where he oversaw a transformation of winemaking quality and style, winning many Wine Show awards both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Evans & Tate, he spent 13 years in the Clare Valley, South Australia with Leasingham Wines & Kirrihill Wines.

Whilst Chief Winemaker at Leasingham he oversaw a complete overhaul of the winemaking, and won the Jimmy Watson trophy for his Shiraz in1995.

At Kirrihill Wines Richard was charged with the construction of a green field winery site, and the development of a brand and business. Kirrihill’s winery design was very unique and modern and the well-regarded brand continues to grow.

Richard has a very stylistically aware palate, and looks to produce wines that are restrained and varietal, yet show intensity and flavour.
He is an experienced Wine Show Judge, having judged many Capital City and Regional Shows both in Australia and South Africa.

In 2008 Richard was approached to take on a Chief Winemaker role with KWV in South Africa with a brief to improve wine quality. In a difficult cultural environment the results Richard achieved were very significant, taking the company to win many of South Africa’s most prestigious wine competitions.

Now based in Margaret River WA, Richard heads up a Wine Consulting business with a few select clients from Margaret River and the Clare Valley.

Richard’s new role at Wills Domain will see some stylistic evolution with a view to achieving the potential of their outstanding Yallingup vineyards. The finessed approach to winemaking and ideal conditions of the 2018 Vintage are already producing exciting results.