OUR TEAM

Originally from Sydney, but now with over 30 years winemaking experience in the Barossa, Charlie has been described by Jancis Robinson as “wild South Australian winemakerâ€� and by Decanter magazine as a “wildmanâ€�.   He has also been compared to the Marlborough Man by the US press (and we can see a scary resemblance in those crazy 1970s magazine advertisements!)

He is an easy one to find here at the winery - especially at vintage time.  Just look for the fella in the tightest white footy shorts at the crusher - singing along to The Eagles/Johnny Cash (CM:that's a bit harsh crew!!)/something blue-grassy. That's your man!!

Charlie initially spent time as apprentice to Peter Lehmann, becoming familiar with the capabilities of the region’s fruit. However in 1984 he set out on his own and joined a small team of like-minded Barossa winemakers whose mission was to revive the undervalued varieties of Grenache and Shiraz.

Virginia Weckert is the Financial Director of Charles Melton (and by the way, she’s married to Charlie).

Her company is in great demand when money is needed for things like new barrels and printed corks but especially tea bags, milk and biscuits for morning tea. It was her agenda to be in charge of spending so that she could fulfil a fantasy of surrounding herself with every possible office gadget. We secretly believe she doesn’t buy them to use, just to admire (very strange!!).

Truly a wonder-woman – full time mum to three, financial director, wine courier, handy-person, technology officer (?), minder to Charlie and still finds time to seek out those office
collectables!!! How does she do it?

Pete was born in Nigeria, raised in Tanzania, Kenya and London. As a result of his upbringing he has been known to leap off the tractor and wrestle wild rabbits to the ground with bare hands then toast his Big Game Trophy with gin & tonic.

Uses words like wishes from a genie – only rarely and after careful consideration. Rarely seen around the cellar door except when the muffins come out at morning tea or for Friday night beers.

How many hats can this girl wear? After making cellar door her domain for the last six years, Simone has been let loose onto the world. You will now find her in the rep's world of strong latte's in Rundle Street, schmoozing our Adelaide restauranteurs & retailers.

Simone was also, in her words, the 'pump-over queen' during vintage at CMW. If James is the one with the answers to cellar questions, Simone is probably the one asking. The most energetic vintage 'casual' ever, especially with a bit of Fat Boy Slim blasting through the stereo! 

Simone is back on th road again after maternity leave, and little Olive has just celebrated her 1st birthday!

Talk about multi-skilling at Charles Melton Wines ... James has just joined our select band of grape growers - in addition to his role as full-time Head Cellar Man (read right-hand man). James is the man with the answers to stupid questions in the winery (which is suction? which is delivery on this pump?? is this full?)  We all thank him for his patience.

Committed to quality in his vineyard, he tends to the vines following the cycle of the moon and sees results (especially during the party held at full moon!)  But be warned, he can cause a ruckus in the Tanunda Hotel on a Friday night with the boys.

A regular in the cellar door, Barb is another of us who has travelled the 400 metres up the road from the old Krondorf Winery.

In her years in the Barossa you might have met Barb at Krondorf or Yalumba or Saltram or as a cellar door mercenary at Peter Lehmann Wines. Now she’s exclusive to us and that has been a great relief to our garden – her thumbs are greener than any of ours. Oh, and should you need to know anything, and we mean anything, about anyone in the Barossa – she’s your girl!!

Originally from Mildura, Brooke spent seven years renovating period-style homes in Melbourne before moving to the Barossa in June 2003.

A busy mother of two, Brooke joins Bridget upstairs in the Admin team. Brooke will also be responsible for processing your wine orders and keeping our accounts paid! 

A Kiwi from somewhat grassier pastures than ours, Nicki spent 10 years in journalism and public relations in New Zealand before swapping her suit and high-heels for Blundestones and overalls to do vintage work in New Zealand, California and the Barossa.

She has a post graduate diploma in viticulture and oenology from Lincoln University.

If you want to know anything about sales, marketing or distribution of our wines – please give Nicki a call. And, on the very rare occasion Charlie is out for lunch/on the phone! she will also be able to answer any technical questions you might have about the wines.

Nicki gave birth to a beautiful girl named Madeline on Saturday 19th of January...mum and baby are both well.

 'What is that accent?' you wonder when she answers the phone...  If you guessed Scottish, you'd be right!!  Born and bred in Edinburgh, Bridget moved to the Barossa seven years ago after falling for a cute local boy named Scott - now her husband.  Together they have three gorgeous labradors...a handsome yellow boy named Wilbur, a boisterous black girl named Bailey...and a new Xmas addition Pavi...Wilbur's first son!!

Favourite wine?? 'A good Burgundy' (ouch!!).  Bridget brings with her a multitude of skills (prerequisite for any Charles Melton Wines employee).  Her previous life has seen her in cellar doors and as cook for a private house (Long Island mind you!) 

Headhunted for her fabulous hospitality shown to us all when we dine at Vintners Bar & Grill in Angaston, you will now find her juggling winery life and the busy restaurant schedule.

A born and bred Barossa girl, (the rivalry is high for the title of 'queen of  local gossip') Roz will have the low-down on who is making the best coffee/ new local menu's/ new chef's etc better than any of us!

The rest of the crew are a little miffed as Roz has just come on board for our CMW footy tips, (sheep stations!) and is beating James and Charlie already!! Go girl!

Sara is our newest recuit to the Cellar Door team.  Born and raised in Mt Gambier, Sara went to Adelaide to study. It was here she met the love of her life ( Andy ). One catch... Andy was a Barossa boy!!

 In 2005 they had a gorgeous little girl named Kate. So on weekends daddy looks after Kate, so Sara can come and have fun with us in Cellar Door!

Sara is now expecting baby number two!! Sara leaves us for maternity leave mid April...stay tuned for baby updates.

Sharon has slotted in nicely and would you believe it's been a year already! Sharon originally hails from Adelaide, but built a house with her hubby 10yrs ago in Lyndoch. She has two beautiful girls, and when she's not running them around, she's in cellar door making people laugh ( including us )

Sharon has years of experience in the customer service game and well over 7 years experience in cellar doors in the Barossa. Next time you're here ask her how she drinks the 'Rose of Virginia'!?!

Sam is our knowledgable Cellar Door manager.  A Queensland original, Sam's had a few unsuccessful attempts at keeping 'the fires a-burnin'' in cellar door over the winter months (who needs fires in Queensland?!)

Sam has many years of experience in 5 star establishments and has a geniune love for wine. Sam has taken several master classes throughout the years, ( from French to Italian)and recently completed the AWRI 'sensory evaluation'.

A bubble of energy, ready to answer any question thrown at the cellar door team. So if you want to talk wine...any wine, you're in the right place!!

Newly wedded to 'K.G', a local winemaker...it looks like Sam's here for good!!