Born on the wild, mountainous, rain-soaked west coast of New Zealand, Pete has made a home in one of the flattest wine regions in the world, Coonawarra.

Changing from one red liquid to another, Pete studied Biochemistry then Haemotology and in 1985, an interest in winemaking took him to France working vintage in Pomerol and St Emilion

Working with some outstanding Bordeaux oenologists convinced Pete to change to a career in winemaking, completing a graduate diploma at Roseworthy in 1988.

Pete was winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra Estate from 1989 to 1995. During this time Pete combined his love of traveling, with flying winemaking stints for Penfolds in Russia and the South of France.

Pete became winemaker at Balnaves in 1995 and using his Bordeaux experience, created the Balnaves super premium Cabernet Sauvignon - The Tally, first released in 1998.

When relaxing he plays his favourite guitar - a Rickenbacker 1997.