Meet the Maker - Callie Jemmeson: Winemaker / Cloak & Dagger, White Stripes, Harvest Moon & Pacha Mama

Callie Jemmeson is not your typical winemaker. She is a young Mum, and an incredible entrepreneur running multiple wine brands. As an avid ‘foodie’, Callie (and Nina) have been huge supporters of what we do at Good Pair Days. In other words, they're the best! The synergy is what we are all about, a small, unconventional wine business, and an awesome creative outlet bringing joy to folks through their love of wine, especially Pinot Noir.

After years travelling the world making wine, from (wait for it, it's a big enough travel list to pique your jealousy) Alentejo, Southern Rhône, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Northern Rhône, Provence, Beaujolais, Emilia Romagna, Alsace, Barolo, Sonoma, Central Otago, Marlborough and McLaren Vale. Once the travel bug subsided, Callie embarked on ‘her own thing’, from her inimitable Pacha Mama - the Incan earth goddess who symbolises fertility and harvesting, made from the Yarra Valley. To her ‘Cloak & Dagger’ ‘Harvest Moon’ (just like the Neil Young album) and even our very own GPD exclusive ‘White Stripes’.

She is a queen of wine with such great ‘chat’, keeping herself busy from vineyard to vineyard timing her ‘Gucci’ fruit harvest, just right.

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

Ahhhh Sangiovese! And not because I think it’s a ‘friendly’ variety. Sang’ (wine speak for Sangiovese) can be expressed in so many different ways, its a juicy red that allows plenty of room for winemakers to put their 'stamp' on it. Plus, the vineyard expression truly shines through from Sang’, and it can produce the most incredible resulting tannins and structure if you handle it right.

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

I do also happen to drink a fair bit of Sangiovese (!)  Well, I used to. Currently, as a new Mum, there’s not a lot of imbibing. I am quite interested in Gamay, would love to play around with this variety more. But if I had to drink one wine, it would likely be Champagne. Of course, I don’t live in the region and therefore could technically never make Champagne, but given the chance to celebrate - it’s the best tipple. Bubbles forever.

You’re not just a talented ‘winemaker’ you’re a mother running multiple wine brands. What advice do you have for your industry peers, wanting to carve their way in wine?

Support. You need to have a great team around you, it would be virtually impossible to do it solo. Nobody does it on their own. Our business is all about respecting our relationships with others - having friends and colleagues to call when you need. It really does take a village, so I would advise to be as collaborative as possible. Winemaking is collaborative. From picking to tasting. Many palates are so much better than one! I find it so useful to bounce ideas off people and gauge other perspectives. I’m in the thick of vintage right now, and I’ve spoken to at least four winemakers today. I am all about the support and sense of community. You need it.

Can our Good Pair Days wine community come to visit you?

Not quite! We don’t have a traditional cellar door, unfortunately. However, my partner's incredible brewery do list all of my wines at Molly Rose in Collingwood (Melbourne)

Sidenote: Molly Rose have submitted a proposal for refurbishment, and need the support you and the amazing local community. Click here if you wish to lodge a quick submission in support :)

Your partner is a famous brewer, but aside from Nick - who is your celebrity crush?

As a new mother, I feel so out of the loop! I would say... Jennifer Lawrence?! She is hilarious.

Good Pair Days travel tip! Go and visit Molly Rose, taste their beer and sip on Callie’s wines. Try her delightful Cloak & Dagger Sangiovese!

Click here take our wine profile quiz and we'll choose the top 3 wines which we think you'll love!