Leanne De Bortoli

Manager De Bortoli Winery & Restaurant Yarra Valley

Leanne has worked in the family business since a teen. She studied Wine Marketing at Roseworthy and today is a company director as well as manager of the De Bortoli Yarra Valley vineyard and restaurant.

There were just 16 wineries in the Yarra Valley when the De Bortoli family led by Darren De Bortoli purchased their first vineyard there in 1987. Darren asked Leanne and her husband, winemaker Steve Webber, if they would like to manage the Yarra Valley project.

'We were so excited to be asked,' says Leanne. 'The plan was to make a range of premium wines and develop the vineyard as well as oversee the development of a new Cellar door/restaurant complex.'

Building for the new restaurant and cellar door commenced in 1989. Today the De Bortoli Winery & Restaurant is one of the premier wine and food attractions in the Yarra Valley and has been awarded numerous tourism awards. 5 years ago, a Cheese Room was added to the Cellar door facility where visitors can taste and purchase cheese matured to perfection in the custom built maturation room. The project is overseen by renowned cheese man Richard Thomas.

Leanne’s roles are varied and include overseeing the Restaurant and Cellar Door businesses, Public Relations for De Bortoli and the Yarra Valley region, marketing, and product development. Leanne is actively involved with Victorian tourism networks including involvement in the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association and Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing. Regional marketer Anna Aldridge says: 'Leanne has taken a leading role in the region’s marketing. She is totally committed to developing an environmentally sustainable and distinctive regional brand for the Yarra and understands the importance of a clear regional message to consumers and the trade.'

Many clients, writers and chefs from Australia and overseas have enjoyed Leanne and Steve's  laid back hospitality – usually a simple barbeque or wood fired pizza - on the deck of their home overlooking the magnificent vineyards and the Great Dividing Range.

Leanne and Steve have two daughters; Kate (20) who is currently studying Science at Monash University and Sally (18) who is studying Arts at Melbourne University.