Winemaker – Andrew Thomas

Given my family background, it was inevitable that I would work in wine. My early inspiration came from my  father, Wayne Thomas who had a distinguished career making wine where I was raised in McLaren Vale.

During my formative winemaking years, despite being groomed for a possible winemaking career in South Australia, I developed a deep passion for finesse, and the more subtle and savoury structured wines of the Hunter Valley .

After graduating with a degree in Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, I began my winemaking journey at Tyrrell’s Vineyards. During 13 years guidance under the legendary Murray Tyrrell at Tyrrells Wines, I gained a great respect for, and understanding of the two signature varieties of the Hunter Valley – semillon and shiraz.

My thirst for more knowledge and winemaking experience was quenched with vintages in Sonoma, Tuscany, Piedmont and Provence; but the desire to make world class wines under my own label could no longer be denied, it was time to go out on my own.

Thomas Wines was established in 1997, with a clear and focused objective to specialise in single vineyard Hunter Valley semillon and shiraz. Over the years I have formed close and collaborative alliances with an impressive folio of local growers. These growers own and operate arguably some of the Hunter Valley’s most distinguished sites, producing world class, uniquely regional styles. Each wine is destined to showcase its unique vineyard signature and express a real sense of place.

Whilst I have always applied a no compromise, attention to detail approach to my winemaking, I truly believe that 90% of the quality lies in the vineyard. The key to great wine is ‘keeping it simple’  to preserve that potential quality from the vine through to the bottle.

“Thomas Wines have won more trophies and awards than you could poke a stick at, as well as widespread critical acclaim over the two decades. Andrew (Thommo) Thomas has been awarded the title of 2023 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year (having also previously won the award in 2014 and in 2008). Thommo has once again been judged by his peers on his pursuit of excellence in winemaking and his contribution and dedication to the Hunter Valley wine industry at large.

His flagship wines Kiss shiraz and Braemore semillon sit at the top of an impressive range of wines, many of which have become modern benchmarks for the Hunter Valley.

It is a remarkable achievement for such a small producer and it’s Thommo’s continued attention to detail, and his hands on approach to every aspect of his winemaking that has earned him all these awards, and a reputation as one of the Hunter Valley’s leading winemakers.”