Belinda is Winemaker and Viticulturist at her family winery, Crawford River Wines, in far South-West Victoria. Working in New Zealand for 3 years after completing postgraduate studies in Oenology and Viticulture at Lincoln University in 2002, Belinda has spent much of her career in the pursuit of crafting cool climate, site driven wines – both in Europe and Australia. After working in Europe and New Zealand with the likes of Werner at Emrich Shoenleber, Severio Petrilli of Tenuta di Valigiano and Mike & Clare Allen of Huia, she returned to work alongside her father in 2004.
An opportunity too good to resist arose in late 2008, when she assumed the role of Winemaker and Technical Director at Bodegas y Viñedos Shaya in Spain. Thomson was responsible for the creation of wines and vineyard sourcing from the winery’s inception, together with a four-fold increase in production over 5 years. It was a rewarding challenge that was pivotal to the perspective and experience she has a producer today.
In 2012 she assumed a leading role in the vineyard and winery at Crawford River and in 2014 returned full time to her family estate. In 2020 she was a GT Winemaker of the Year finalist, as well as Young Gun Vineyard of the year Top 50. She is a regular judge at a variety of shows when her busy Vineyard schedule allows.
