Behind the vine

Samantha Connew - Stargazer - Tasmania, Australia

When do you think you fell in love with wine, enough to make a career of it?

I think my story is similar to how a lot of people got into wine. At university, I was doing a BA in English Literature and Political Science and I took a part-time job at a wine bar in Christchurch, NZ. At the same time, I was starting to figure out that I didn't want to practice as a lawyer because the culture around law wasn't for me. Then, I came across to Australia for the first time and worked at restaurants in Adelaide. Hearing the stories and learning about wine gave me the confidence to go back to NZ and get my post-grad in winemaking.

Working in hospitality, I was surrounded by people that were very open, helpful and keen to share their knowledge about wine. So, I was realy drawn to the culture as much as the wine.

What story does your wine tell?

I want people to recognize that whilst Stargazer is unmistakeably Australian, it's connected to this tiny little island that can be a forgotten blip, but is shaped by isolation and a unique geology which is so different to the mainland. I want Stargazer to represent the very best of Tasmania, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

What misconceptions about wine do you think people should forget?

Firstly, that you have to be an expert in order to choose or drink wine in order to enjoy it. Sometimes the wine industry can feel like people trying to maintain an enclave of knowledge versus sharing moe openly. There's no right or wrong answers when it comes to wine. I can't stand the snobbery around varieties - if people are drinking wine, who cares what they're drinking!

Secondly, that wine is only for special occasions. If you've traveled to Europe you'll have seen the beautiful symbiosis of wine, food, family, friends. It's something to be enjoying and living with - side by side.

What great things about wine do you think people should remember?

It's a slice of a particular time. This is something that people intrinsically know, but we have to remind them -- with wine, we only get one chance a year. Wine reflects its time, season and what's going on with the winemaker. People can put a wine in their cellars and when you take it out to drink it, you remember the vintage and what happened. It's like a short story in every bottle.

What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman interested in breaking into the wine world?

It's a tough industry and you really have to love the work. You really need to find your people, who you like and respect as mentors. Find people who are generous and kind with their wines. Get some support because it's not the easiest industry in the workd, but there are some amazing and incredible people in it.

Who is a woman that inspired you?

There are so many amazing female winemakers in Australia. I'd say Pam Dunsford, one of the first qualified female winemakers in Australia. Then, Vanya Cullen, Louisa Rose and Sue Hodder who are three incredibly strong, amazing and intuitive winemakers who set the bar for the rest of us.

Where can women find your wine?

Stargazer is available in Australia, the UK and imported into the US by Legend Imports.