Stephen Webber

Chief Winemaker/Manager, De Bortoli Yarra Valley

Steve Webber is married to Leanne De Bortoli and in 1989 they moved to the family's Yarra Valley vineyard to establish a premium wine brand. Together Steve and Leanne have built a winery based on their down-to-earth hospitality and a serious commitment to quality food and wine.

Steve was interested in wine from an early age. He absorbed an understanding of horticulture and viticultural and innovation in the wine industry from his late father, Ron. His first employer was Leo Buring in 1978 whom he so impressed that the corporate parent company, Lindemans, sponsored his studies for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology at Roseworthy.

Seven years at Lindemans exposed him to some of Australia's finest winemakers including John Vickery, Philip Laffer and Karl Stockhausen before leaving in 1989.

Steve Webber brought lots of resourcefulness to his role at De Bortoli Yarra Valley. 'We thought we were doing really edgy stuff in the early days of the Yarra Valley,' says Steve, 'but I think it was a real learning curve that we are still riding. It takes a long time to understand your vineyards and the winemaking needed to reflect the site that you cultivate.'

Steve was awarded the 2007 Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE. He is seeking finesse and detail in wines by picking earlier and using less new oak. As he explains, 'we have addressed most aspects of our site, the way we tend our vineyards, ensuring perfect fruit is received into the winery; all in the quest to preserve detail in our wine (ie. reflecting site, season and variety).'

Since the Yarra Valley wines were launched, Steve also created the very sucessful Windy Peak, Sero and Gulf Station brands.

Steve admits to being obsessed with wines made from Pinot Noir, he says, “Pinot while time consuming and expensive to grow, when handled gently and not overly macerated is a wine that articulates the characters of the site so well”.

From 2003-2005, Steve made some small batches of Pinot Noir in the Burgundian appellations of Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny. More recently Steve has collaborated with Stephen Shelmerdine to produce the PHI brand from the Shelmerdine family vineyard at Lusatia Park high in the northern reaches of the Yarra Valley.

Steve's says, 'The important features in wine for us is character, charm and allure, whether posh or peasant wine. The future of Australian wine is in regionality and sense of place. The blending of varieties is very important but is more relevant from a single vineyard or region.

In 2008, Steve was appointed as Chairman of Judges at The Royal Melbourne Wine Show. The changes in direction will be to reflect his commitment to “excellence, character and detail”.

Steve and Leanne have two teenage daughters Kate, 18 (accomplished singer) and Sally, 16 (wannabee actress).