Meet the Maker - Jo Marsh, Billy Button Wines

Venturing to Victoria's stunning Alpine Valley region, you'll find Billy Button Wines - and in more than one location (!) Both in the mountainous foothills of Bright and in the nearby quaint village of Myrtleford, where the winery is. While only a relatively 'new' brand (est. 2014) the owners, Jo Marsh and Glenn James are wine industry legends and visionaries who pursued their dream in Billy Button, tending to an incredibly diverse range of grape varieties not even the wine team at GPD are familiar with! From Schioppettino to Refosco, Manseng to Verduzzo, it's a wonderland of discovery - and 'Billy Button' is truly unstoppable.

If you've a keen eye for flowers, you'll notice the botanical illustration on the label, are 'Billy Buttons' - bouncy yellow balls of goodness that colour the mountain tops of the gorgeous Alpine Valleys. These flowers (Craspedia to be correct) are a native daisy and create a sea of yellow during the warmer months, blanketing the mountains of their stunning wine growing region.

We chat to our mate Jo... the ridiculously talented Joanne Marsh.

What is the most interesting grape variety you are working with?

Schioppettino. Although we get our first Pecorino to play with this year which I'm quite excited about!

What is your ‘dream’ varietal. To make, and to drink?

Despite all the interesting varieties we make,  I think it would have to be Riesling. Just love it. Very simple to make,  just don't stuff up the fruit that the vineyard delivers.

You’re not just a talented ‘winemaker’ you’re an entrepreneur... and your business has had such incredible growth since its inception. How much has your business grown?

Massively. Production has grown about 700%! (in just over 5 years) We now have 5 winemakers (a few part time mums!), cellar doors and over 20 people on the payroll. It's exhausting just trying to keep up.

You’ve got a loyal ‘fanbase’ from not only the wine industry but consumers (one of Good Pair Days most highly-rated producers!), plus you’re a relatively new ‘Mum’ (congratulations!) Seriously, how do you do it all?

I don't. I have an incredible husband and awesome team of people that all make invaluable contributions

Where can our Good Pair Days wine community come to visit you?

We have 2 great cellar doors in the Alpine Valleys - a cosy shop in Bright and more recently we've opened up a more spacious, stylish space in Myrtleford in a joint venture with one of our fabulous growers Bush Track.

Your husband Glenn James is also a famous winemaker (but besides Glenn) who is your celebrity crush?

Bandit Heeler (for all the parents out there)

Good Pair Days travel tip! Go and visit Billy Button cellar doors, say hi to Jo and the team over a weekend in the beautiful Victorian countryside of Bright and Myrtleford.

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