2017 Australian Winemaker Of The Year, Mike Hayes, Joins The Sirromet Team

Thursday 9th August 2018: Sirromet Winery has appointed Mike Hayes to the new role of Director Vineyard and Winery Operations, based at the wineries Granite Belt vineyards. With 39 years professional wine industry experience across 16 wine regions, 4 states and 2 countries, Hayes will team up with current Chief Winemaker, Adam Chapman, to focus on vineyard management strategies further enhancing the vineyard yields and fruit quality. “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Sirromet, working with Adam to continue delivering outstanding Granite Belt wines for Australia - in fact the world to enjoy,” said Hayes. Hayes is well known and respected in the industry, holding a Masters of Viticulture, current president of the Queensland Wine Industry Association, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Queensland, wine judge at the Australian Small Winemakers Awards and recently being awarded the Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology (ASVO) Winemaker of the Year for 2017. Hayes further adds: “Sirromet is a very progressive winery, I know momentum is building behind the reputation of the Granite Belt as an emerging grape growing region in Australia, and it’s poised to drive further growth in the global market place for its premium boutique wines.“ Sirromet’s headquarters at Mount Cotton offers 3 restaurants on-site; newly opened glamping accommodation Sanctuary By Sirromet; Wine & Spirit Education Trust Courses Level 1 to Level 3 for wine and Level 1 in Sake; Supa Golf course; home to A Day on the Green concerts; weddings; winery tours and Cellar Door for tastings. “Adam and I both share a passion for wine education, winemaking and the pursuit of excellence in our fields, and together are looking forward to adding to the already impressive 900 medal tally Sirromet holds.” “Experimenting with emerging varietals, along with precision viticulture techniques, we will grow super premium grapes that will allow Adam to produce a broader range of ultra premium wines.” “Along with adding value to the wine side of the business, I see the opportunity to host Granite Belt vineyard and wine experiences for high value travellers who are staying at the new glamping accommodation too, as the vineyards are only a 50 minute helicopter ride from the Mt Cotton headquarters.” -Ends- Sirromet Winery: Varieties being harvested from Sirromet's three vineyards located in Ballandean, within the Granite Belt wine region are: SEVEN SCENES, BALLANDEAN (52-ha): Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot ST JUDE'S, BALLANDEAN (25-ha): Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Nebbiolo, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon NIGHT SKY, BALLANDEAN (23-ha): Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Viognier Sirromet has 97 wine tanks on-site at Mount Cotton with a total capacity of 2.16-million litres. The largest tanks hold 120,000-litres each Sirromet’s extensive range of wines, are available for tasting at their Mount Cotton Cellar Door, recently awarded Star Cellar Door in Gourmet Traveller WINE Australia's Best Cellar Door awards 2018. Sirromet has won a total of 909 international and national wine awards since opening in 2000. The wines are sold in Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan and recently the USA. The winery is owned and was founded by Gold Coast businessman Terry Morris. In addition to vineyards, Sirromet's winery headquarters at Mount Cotton includes production, bottling, and packaging facilities, barrel rooms, cellar door, Restaurant Lurleen's, administration centre, worm farm and waste recycling plant. SIRROMET WINES: 850 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, Queensland 4165. Tel: (07) 3206- 2999. Fax: (07) 3206-0900. E-mail: wines@sirromet.com Web: http://www.sirromet.com MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Theresa Matthews - Tel: (07) 3822 0648. E-mail: theresa@sirromet.com IMAGES: High res image attached of Executive Chef Mathew Fulford Additional photos available upon request.