Where it all began with Wine
Neil as Sommelier - Hayman Island Resort 1987 - 1990 (Pictured below). A tough job some one had to do! Establishing cellars worth approximately three quarters of a million dollars with 38,500 bottles. An affair with wine that started in 1982 when resigning the Police Force and traveling to Europe - who thought it would have lead to a life-long love affair and career in the wine industry as Sommelier. Hospitality and Wine Educator and Wine Proprietor.
I first developed a fascination, hobby, obsession and profession with fine wine that began in Europe working as sommelier at the Watergate Bay private resort in Cornwall, then for the Savoy Hotel Group at the Berkeley, and the prestigious private club R.A.C in Pall Mall during several years in Europe based in the UK, then returning to Australia and after a short stint as a Restaurant Manager at the Regent in Melbourne began my time as Sommelier at Hayman Island between 1987 and '90. At that time the Island was at its zenith, and I had the honour and privilege of having resonsibility for design and establishing cellars that at its peak comprised over 38,500 bottles of Australian and International wines worth $750,000, and overseeing individual winelists for the islands five restaurants. All good things have to come to an end, and the dream to be a wine producer meant a return to Tasmania in '90, where I planted my first vineyard. In 2000 Tiger Ranch was relocated to Lower Barrington and a new vineyard is being progressively planted. In the meantime grapes are coming from Lake Barrington Vineyard and a second vineyard at Eugenana. Ultimately production will focus on pinot noir (two-thirds), chardonnay (one-third) and a small amount of gewurztraminer will continue to be produced.
