Great wine requires the combination of great soils, the right clones of each variety and the tender loving care and artisan skill of people.

The importance of the relationship between viticulturist and winemaker cannot be understated and at Willow Creek, we see something special in the partnership between Geraldine McFaul (our winemaker) and Robbie O'Leary (our viticulturist).  Geraldine has been making wine on the Mornington Peninsula for almost 15 years and over this time has refined her skills in making (and drinking) her favourite varieties - pinot noir and chardonnay.

Geraldine McFaul
With a wry sense of humour and the ability to tell it how it is, Geraldine McFaul is one of those people who take on life’s challenges with an uncomplicated confidence.

Born and raised in Mudgee NSW, Geraldine was surrounded by agriculture from a young age. Aged 18 and looking for an adventure, Geraldine hit the backpacker trail in Europe and tasted a few wines along the way. During this time Geraldine decided to combine her love of the land with her new found appreciation for wine, so returned to Australia to begin studies in winemaking at Charles Sturt University.

Geraldine proved a promising talent and was awarded the Ron Potter scholarship in 1993. After graduating, Geraldine returned to Europe for a vintage where she refined her aromatic winemaking skills by crafting sauvignon blanc in the Loire Valley.

At 26 Geraldine returned to Australia and a full time winemaking position at Stonier on the Mornington Peninsula. In her 12 years there, she worked under the guidance of Tod Dexter and Brian Stonier, two men she credits with increasing her knowledge of cool climate winemaking on the peninsula and heightening her obsession with pinot noir. Whilst under their tutelage, she also learnt to listen to other people from time to time, “even old people,” she says. A pearl of wisdom she will no doubt pass on!
During her time at Stonier, Geraldine was accepted into the esteemed Len Evans tutorial. The experience, Geraldine says, was life-changing and the “awesome” wines she tasted – particularly that of the last day – continue to amaze her.

In 2006 Geraldine was a finalist for GTW Winemaker of the Year.

In 2008 Geraldine joined the team at Willow Creek Vineyard. The opportunity appealed to Geraldine for more than one reason: she would be crafting wine from some of the Peninsula’s oldest vines; it was family owned and operated; and she would work alongside Robbie O’Leary, Willow Creek Vineyard’s viticulturist of 16 vintages.

Since joining Willow Creek Vineyard in October 2008 Geraldine has formed a strong partnership with Robbie, which allows her to combine her cool-climate winemaking expertise with his intimate knowledge of the vineyard. Geraldine has also helped reshape the winery’s course and future goals, endeavouring to produce the best wines from estate grown fruit with as little winemaking intervention as possible.

Geraldine says the biggest challenge in winemaking is “doing less rather than more” and avoids the temptation to overuse new oak or colour and tannin extraction techniques. For the wines from the Willow Creek Vineyard it’s all about letting the vineyard terroir shine through.