Sevenhill Cellars opened a new winemaking chapter in January 2019 with the appointment of Will Shields. Will has more than 25 years’ experience as a winemaker, with major stints in Western Australia’s Margaret River region and New Zealand. His love of wine was sparked from his upbringing in the Hunter Valley where his parents owned Oakvale Vines. Will studied at South Australia’s Roseworthy College, before earning his stripes in WA, receiving a string of accolades – as many as 50 awards – during his time at Vasse Felix and Clairault. After nearly four years in New Zealand at The Wine Portfolio, Will returned to Australia in 2016, joining Kirrihill Wines in the Clare Valley. Allowing fruit to express itself is at the heart of Will’s approach to winemaking, using a soft hand to achieve balanced, elegant wines.
Craig Richards
Vineyard Manager
Craig joined Sevenhill Cellars in 1999, when he was appointed Vineyard Manager. His viticultural philosophy focuses on biological farming principles, which incorporate sustainable practices that have low environmental impact and enhance the natural balance and health of the soil. Craig is passionate in his belief that these principles are significant in producing grapes that are fruit-driven, the key to making the best possible wines. Craig is a member of the Clare Valley Vine Improvement Society and sat for a term on the Phylloxera & Grape Industry Board of South Australia.
Sarah Lavelle
Direct to Consumer and Wine Club Manager
Sarah joined the team in 2022, charged with developing and leading our Direct-to-Consumer market. Having grown up in the Riverina of NSW, Sarah first studied teaching at Charles Sturt University prior to developing a passion for the wine industry. Since, she has taken on Cellar Door and Events management roles, having a customer-centric focus and enjoying the challenge of leading a range of diverse teams. Outside of work, Sarah can often be found judging or competing at a range of local, state or national horse shows, sitting on various wine committees or enjoying time with her energetic Border Collie, Frankie.
Martin Brown
SA Sales and Export Manager
Martin has taken over the role as SA Sales and Export Manager. Martin has recently moved back to Adelaide after spending some 34 working overseas in Europe, Africa and the United States. He has over twenty years experience in the wine industry in California. This time has predominantly been spent with the very successful setting up and ownership of two wineries being Area 5.1 in the Santa Barbara region and Kalyra winery in Santa Ynez area. Martin was involved in the management of those wineries with emphasis on sales and marketing. This consisted of local, regional and interstate sales of wine and the sales operations of three cellar door /tasting rooms and wine club operations.
Martin originally studied Law at Adelaide and has spent time in Europe and Africa in the tourism and hospitality fields and, more recently, studied Wine Marketing and level one Sommelier training in California.
Martin is a keen golfer, wine enthusiast, history buff and has a soft spot for dogs.
Helen Maloney
Accountant and Administration Manager
Matt Green
QLD Sales Manager
Matt brings 40 years experience in the hospitality industry in QLD, engaged in both on and off premise channels and working with family owned and independent hotels. Prior to coming to Sevenhill he spent 7 years representing the Samuel Smith & Sons portfolio with a vast range of brands including Yalumba, Vasse Felix, Wirra Wirra, Brokenwood and many others.
A self-described “wine nerd”, the history and amazing wines of Sevenhill and the story behind the brand has inspired him to represent them in the QLD market. Spending the last 3 years working in the premium wine market with the Sense of Taste brand for Star Liquor, he has seen a lot of wine and believes Sevenhill is possibly The Clare Valley’s (if not Australia’s) best kept wine secret!
Jade Verran
Cellar Door and Events Manager
Jade lives and breathes the Clare Valley – having grown up in Watervale, she is the biggest Riesling advocate and lover around! She has grown up amongst the vines, with her parents and grandparents both heavily involved in viticulture. This is where her passion and knowledge for wine first began.
Having had experience in managing and supervising many cellar doors and restaurants throughout the Clare Valley, Jade now returns to the Sevenhill Cellars team to lead our Cellar Door and Events division. In her spare time, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Wine Business.
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