Dave and Diana Palmer bought Skillogalee twenty years ago in a flush of mid-life crisis. Now they have built a successful boutique winery business involving the whole family.
After successful careers as management consultant and teacher, Dave and Diana knew they needed a change. Without any prior knowledge of the industry, except how to appreciate good wine, they moved to South Australia with two young children and bought Skillogalee. As Dave says - they'd never really seen a vine growing before - let alone knowing what to pick with or into!
Since then they've built a state-of-the-art winery, acquired additional neighbouring vineyards and established a vibrant cellar door and restaurant. Skillogalee has been acknowledged as one of the top producers of Riesling in Australia.
Dave and Diana's two children have grown up and joined the business as senior winemaker and cellar door/restaurant manager respectively making it a truly family-owned and operated winery.
Are they glad they made the sea change? " I'm 20 years into my wine apprenticeship and I'm still having fun!" says Dave.