Among vines and vagabonds: Penfolds’ chief winemaker Peter Gago’s intense love for wine and travel
From hippos charging in Africa to being rather underprepared in the Andes, Penfolds’ chief winemaker arguably has a nose for misadventure.
Peter Gago likes a yarn as much as he likes a decent drop.
As only the fourth custodian of Penfolds’ expression and output, the Australian label’s chief winemaker (a position he’s held since 2002) is unmatched in his talent and connectivity. So, too, as the country’s most compelling and garrulous vintner. Penfolds’ growing global expression alongside international vineyards in France, US and China, means even more movement for the plugged-in and influential Gago. From wine-soaked dinner banter with the PM to an LA lunch with Tool’s Maynard Keenan (himself a viticulturist as well as hard rocker), Gago’s world is a unique global blend that he admits involves “too much travel, at times”.
When we catch up, the 68-year-old has just returned from a night in Dubai (staying at the Lana) before a few days in Zurich (for those playing along, he was at the Kindli).
“Which was built in 1474, I might add,“ Gago tells ROAM. “That’s quite the contrast as a day earlier I was in the Middle East surrounded by more cranes than there are in Shanghai. But that’s just the way it is.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Here, Gago pours out a few memorable trips from his travels.
The whole idea with sailing on a boat down those rivers, and we crossed into Zambia, is that the animals come to you, you don’t go looking for them. And when you’re on the water at night – I can tell you all the animals come to you. So there we were, sipping French champagne and being chased by hippos. It’s brilliant. And I do love these experiences, they’re great.
