Tiger Ranch Wine A Brief History and Influences
Neil Colbeck served as an A.S.W.E. member and councillor (from 2003) active in wine education, his responsibility on the council was the development of the website. He was from 1994 to 1995 employed by Drysdale Institute [TAFE Tasmania] as an educator responsible for Hospitality Service programs through to specialist service areas, and more recently established and conduct specialist accredited Wine Service and Tourism programs within the state [developed from the nationally accredited units], and also intended to attract international students from 2004.
Since January 2000 has been undertaking the Institute of Masters of Wine - M.W. Program, and would have liked to at some stage complete/revisit the M.W.- M.S. double, unfortunately the MW has been put on hold due to a severe back injury and multiple surgeries, as well as a career move that has seen less time able to be focussed on Wine Studies. Served on the Vineyard Association of Tasmania - member and Committee representative [1994/95] - the first from the North West Coast region to do so, and past Tasmanian Food Industry Training Board - Member. Also previously a member of the Victorian and N.S.W. chapters of the Australian Sommeliers Association
1991/92 F & B Manager Cradle Mountain Resort (P & O Resorts). Since 1987 has operated a private consultancy for Hospitality operations with a particular emphasis on commercial and private wine/cellar lists.
Between 1982 and 1990 Neil held a range of Sommelier Positions within the U.K. and Australia including Hayman Island from its refurbishment and opening in 1987 until settling and establishing a small vineyard in Tasmania in 1990. During 1986/87 restaurant management at the Regent of Melbourne, and from 1982 to 1986 sommelier positions in the United Kingdom including the RAC in Pall Mall; The Berkeley [Savoy Hotel Group including programs within the Savoy Hotel Training School], and the Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall, during this period being a member of the Guild of Sommelier and involved in training, events and seminars. What started as an adventure to Europe in 1982 after leaving the Tasmanian Police Force has become a Hobby, Obsession and Profession in that order.
Since 1990 Neil has operated Tiger Ranch Agriculture, A Stud Holstein Dairy Farm with an aggressive A.I. and E.T. program to develop the breed development of the stud first established in 1977 and dispersed in 2007. In 1990 Awarran Park Vineyard was established at the Wilmot Property which was sold in 2000 and the resulting move to the Lower Barrington where a new vineyard is being established this year concentrating on the imported French clones of Pinot Noir 777, 114 and 115.