Kim Chalmers

Kim Chalmers began her career in music composition and teaching at the Elder Conservatorium at Adelaide University but returned to her viticulture roots joining the family vine, grape and wine business in 2005.

Chalmers, along with sister Tennille and husband Bart make up the wine operations at Chalmers, focused on growing and making wines from heat and drought tolerant southern-Italian grape varieties at two Victorian sites in Merbein and Heathcote.

In 2006, Chalmers trained with Al Gore as a Climate Project presenter and continues to be involved in working to educate and prepare Australian winegrowers for climate change through alternative varieties and sustainable practices.

In 2012 Chalmers travelled to Southern Italy on an Agrifood Skills International fellowship researching indigenous grape varieties and viticultural techniques and their potential application in Australia.

She was the Chair of the Victorian Government’s Wine Ministerial Advisory Committee from 2016-2019 is currently Deputy Chair of the Wine Victoria board, Chair of the Wine Victoria Technical Subcommittee, Vine Industry Nursery Association Committee member, Lower Murray Water Strategic Advisory Committee member and Special Projects Manager of the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.

As part of the second generation at Chalmers,she has been integral in continuing the family’s important work in importing new grape varieties and promoting their uptake around Australia through both their nursery and vineyard businesses.