Balnaves of Coonawarra, a renowned family-owned winery located in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, has announced the appointment of Maddie LeMire as their new winemaker.
LeMire, who will join the team just in time for the 2025 vintage, brings a wealth of international experience and a strong passion for the wine industry.
LeMire’s winemaking career spans several prestigious regions across the globe, including Burgundy, Pomerol, and McLaren Vale. She completed a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide, further cementing her expertise in the craft.
At Balnaves, she will work alongside Pete Bissell to continue the winery’s legacy of producing exceptional wines from the Coonawarra region.
“I’m delighted to join Balnaves of Coonawarra, an icon of the Australian wine industry. I’m honoured to have this opportunity,” LeMire said.
The Balnaves family, which established the winery in 1975, expressed its enthusiasm about the selection. The family noted that the quality and number of applications for the position were impressive, and they were thrilled to welcome LeMire to the team.
“Maddie’s enthusiasm and passion for the wine industry are a perfect match for Balnaves, as we continue our commitment to producing exceptional wines from the famous Coonawarra region,” the family said in a statement. “We are excited to have Maddie as part of the team, marking an exciting start to 2025.”
Balnaves of Coonawarra is widely known for its premium Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from four vineyard sites in the Coonawarra region. The winery also produces award-winning Chardonnay and Shiraz.
The family-owned business has earned accolades for its wines, with the 2021 Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon recently listed as “Outstanding” in Langton’s Classification, and the 2021 Shiraz set to release in 2025, having already been named in the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion’s Top 100 Wines in the Red Wines Under $50 category.
As Balnaves of Coonawarra enters this exciting new chapter, the winery said LeMire’s appointment signals a bright future with exceptional vintages ahead from this iconic Australian producer.
