A new winemaker for Petaluma and Croser

Industry veteran and distinguished winemaker, Teresa Heuzenroeder, has been appointed Senior Winemaker and Manager at Accolade Wines’ historic Tintara facility in McLaren Vale, including the Petaluma and Croser brands.

Heuzenroeder joins Accolade Wines after a 26-year career at Yalumba, where she held senior winemaking roles across a number of Yalumba and Hill Smith Family vineyard brands.

Her appointment follows Mike Mudge's decision to step down as Petaluma's Senior Winemaker and Manager. 

Sandy Mayo, Chief Marketing Officer at Accolade Wines, said: “Mike has been integral to the growth and success of the Petaluma and Croser brands, and has been an upholder of quality and an ambassador for the Adelaide Hills region. We would like to thank Mike for his outstanding contribution to Petaluma and Croser over 30 years and we wish him and his family every success for the future.”

Last year, Accolade Wines announced that due to increased demand for the Petaluma and Croser brands, it had reached capacity at Woodside Estate in the Adelaide Hills.

Shifting production of the Petaluma and Croser portfolio to Accolade’s Tintara facility in McLaren Vale will enable increased capacity and further growth of the two much-loved brands, both in Australia and internationally. (New locations for the Petaluma Cellar Door are still being investigated.)

Accolade Wines brand custodians Nigel Sneyd MW (Global Wine Director), Ed Carr (Group Sparkling Winemaker) and Craig Stansborough (Group Premium Winemaker), all based in South Australia, are responsible for the quality of all wines in the Accolade Wines portfolio. They continue to provide guidance and support to maintain the high quality for which the Petaluma and Croser wines are well known.

Heuzenroeder said: “Having the opportunity to join the amazing team at Accolade Wines and learn from world-class experts including Ed and Nigel, was a big drawcard for me.

"The Tintara site has such strong heritage as a distinguished winemaking facility and I am so excited to work with some of the most respected Australian wine brands. I look forward to coming on-board with Accolade Wines and bringing a new set of skills and perspective to help take these wines to new levels.” 

Of her appointment, Mayo said: “Teresa, who is well known to the industry, is a highly experienced winemaker. We are excited for her to join our talented team at Tintara and look forward to seeing the great work she does in her new role.”  

With a long history that is an integral part of the story of the South Australian wine heritage, Hardys Tintara has grown to become Accolade Wine’s largest premium winery and state-of-the-art winemaking facility.

Accolade will continue to invest in South Australia and the broader wine industry as it focuses on increasing access of quality wine to wine lovers around the world.