Growing up in London to a family of pub owners and greengrocers, hospitality was never far from Guy Palmer-Brown’s world.
After beginning a degree in Biochemistry, Guy realised he was being pulled in a different direction: one shaped less by laboratories and more by people, place, and flavour. Went on to study Viticulture and Oenology, funding his way through university working in a London restaurant. What began as a practical means to an end quietly became the foundation of a lifelong career.
From there, his path unfolded across some of the world’s most respected wine regions, spending six years immersed in vintages in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Oregon. Alongside this hands-on experience, he deepened his technical knowledge with a postgraduate degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Returning to the UK in 2014, Guy brought together his production experience and natural affinity for hospitality. He spent time at Sipsmith Distillery before leading the wine programme at The Clove Club during its rise onto The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. In 2017, he co-founded The Fordwich Arms in Kent, which quickly gained critical acclaim, earning a Michelin star in 2018 and being named the UK’s Best Restaurant in 2019. He later became Wine Director at NoMad London, overseeing an extensive and internationally recognised wine offering.
In 2021, Guy relocated with his family from Deal, Kent to South Australia, drawn by the lifestyle it offered and the depth of its wine regions. More than a career decision, it was a move towards a life where business and family could grow side by side.
He now produces wine under his label, Mighty Isle, shaped by years of international experience but rooted in the regions he now calls home. Alongside this, he runs Rare Vintage, a wine brokerage focused on sourcing and importing exceptional wines into the Australian market.
He continues to refine his knowledge and is currently working towards the Master of Wine qualification.
