BSc, GradDipOenology
At St Margaret’s 1996-2000; Prefect & Music Captain
Gwyneth Olsen (nee Sedgwick) is head winemaker for Pepper Tree Wines and consultant winemaker to Briar Ridge Vineyard and Carillion Wines.
Since graduating from St Margaret’s, Gwyneth completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Graduate Diploma in Oenology (the science and study of wine and winemaking) and has earned recognition for her contribution and influence within the winemaking industry.
She worked three vintages in France – Languedoc, St Emillion and Burgundy, held an Assistant Winemaking role at Villa Maria in New Zealand, before being promoted to Operations Winemaker. Gwyneth was then offered a position at McWilliams Wines with the pivotal role of building the production across both New Zealand and the Hunter Valley.
In 2013, Gwyneth took on the role of Chief Winemaker at Briar Ridge, and soon after added General Manager to her responsibilities. She was then appointed Head Winemaker of Davis Premium Vineyeards and Pepper Tree Wines in October 2015.
Gwyneth’s accolades include the Gourmet Traveller WINE Young Winemaker Medal and the Hunter Valley Rising Star of the Year Award. She is a Len Evans Tutorial scholar, DUX of the 2012 Advanced Wine Assessment Course, a graduate of the 2017 Future Leaders program and judge at major wine shows around Australia.
Gwyneth was a proud St Margaret’s girl, attaining leaders positions of prefect, music captain and school sacristan in her senior year, as well as being a valuable member of the boarding community.
She was the inaugural recipient of St Margaret’s Young Past Student of Distinction Award in 2015.
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