Having grown up in Coonawarra, Jacinta returned to the region in 2018 to work with mentor and Balnaves of Coonawarra winemaker of 25 years, Pete Bissell. Upon Pete’s retirement Jacinta stepped up to Senior Winemaker, and she is honoured to be involved in continuing the legacy established by the Balnaves family and Pete Bissell.
Jacinta began this journey with a BSc in Biochemistry (Hons) at Monash University, before working vintages in Australia (Balnaves of Coonawarra, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Sons of Eden) and internationally (Ch. St Michelle, Washington State USA; Craggy Range, Hawke’s Bay NZ; Dr Loosen, Mosel Valley Germany; Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, Oregon USA).
To consolidate this experience Jacinta studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide, and was Assistant Winemaker at Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley for several years. Back in Coonawarra, Jacinta loves being involved in the tight-knit community in this beautiful region, and is excited to work with the Balnaves family to craft elegant expressions of their unique estate vineyards.
