Victorian winery Mitcheton has swooped to sign up Nat Cleghorn as chief winemaker after her brief stint at Katnook Estate in Coonawarra.
Cleghorn has 23 years of wine industry experience, most recently as senior winemaker and site manager at Accolade-owned Katnook.
She will start her new role at Nagmabie Lakes in early January, in time for the 2023 vintage.
“I am proud to be the new custodian of this historic Australian brand," Cleghorn said. I am excited to be given the opportunity to continue to tell the Mitchelton story by making phenomenal wines that deliver to the quality of yesteryear.
"I have always immersed myself in the regions from which I make my wines and I am looking forward to not only being a champion for Michelton, but also the Strathbogie region.”
A former track rider for the Hayes family at Lindsay Park, Cleghorn has been involved with Katnook Estate, Yalumba and Hill Smith Family’s Estate vineyards - with particular emphasis on Coonawarra.
Starting her winemaking journey at Oxford Landing Estates and Dalrymple, Cleghorn has also undertaken an international vintage at Clos Figueres in Priorat, Spain, and is also an experienced wine show judge.
Cleghorn will take over from current senior winemaker, Victor Nash, who has acted as caretaker over the last year, overseeing the 2022 vintage.
“We are extremely grateful for all the hard work and dedication that Victor has brought to the Mitchelton team over the last year. - he has set a great foundation for us to build on moving forward,” Mitchelton owner Gerry Ryan said.
“As we set our sights on the future, we are thrilled to have such a highly regarded winemaker at Mitchelton and we look forward to seeing our wine progression under Nat’s guidance.”
Cleghorn said: “I love allowing each vineyard, block and variety to speak its own story. I have a hands off approach as I am a believer that less is more,.
“I enjoy producing wines that are suitable for all tastes, including vegan consumers, and I am looking forward to bringing this style to Mitchelton. I am a passionate supporter of indigenous natural fermentation, both primary and malolactic, so I’m enthusiastic about how the vineyards and winery come to life.”
Since being planted in 1969, Mitchelton has become Central Victoria’s most iconic producer with labels including Preece, Mitchelton Estate, Blackwood Park and the newly introduced Gabriella Possum Nunguyarri Collection.
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