Iain Riggs returns to Bleasdale after 40 years in the Hunter

Langhorne Creek’s Bleasdale Vineyards has announced the appointment of Iain Riggs AM as Chairman following Robert Edwards’ retirement.

A true veteran of Australia’s wine industry, Iain Riggs’ career spans almost five decades, including almost 40 years as Brokenwood’s Chief Winemaker, where he helped it become the icon of the Hunter Valley wine region that it is today. In 2018, Iain Riggs was named as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to oenology as a winemaker.

After passing the Brokenwood reigns over to Stuart Hordern earlier in the year, Riggs spent the past six months working as an advisor to the Bleasdale Board in preparation for this handover.

“Life in full circle, I started at Bleasdale in 1973 full time after completing my degree at Roseworthy Agricultural College at the end of ‘75… [before] McLaren Vale in the mid 1980s, then the Hunter Valley at the end of ‘82,” he said.

“I am very humble but excited to join the Bleasdale Board and take on the role of Chair and working with a great team led by Leigh Warren. Big shoes to fill. Thank you Robert for your stewardship over the last 10 years. Enjoy your fishing.”

Bleasdale’s General Manager Leigh Warren added, “Iain has gone on to do some amazing things in the wine industry as many would be aware and we are so very fortunate to have him at the helm of our board. Congratulations on your retirement Robert and thank you so much from all of us here at Bleasdale for your support, mentoring and guidance over the years.”

Robert Edwards formally retired on 22 November after more than 10 years as Chairman. Prior to this, he was the Sales and Marketing Director of Peter Lehmann wines from 1996 to 2008. In this role, Edwards directly contributed to establishing Peter Lehmann Wines as one of South Australia’s most recognised brands, leading to its eventual acquisition by Casella Family Brands in 2014.

After retiring from Peter Lehmann’s, Robert Edwards continued to provide assistance to various wineries before being approached to join Bleasdale’s board in 2014, one year after the family-owned producer welcomed in new shareholders.

Earlier this year, Bleasdale also announced the departure of Paul Hotker, Senior Winemaker at Bleasdale for 17 years, as he moves into Head of Winemaking at Longview, where he has already been working in a lesser capacity for the past six years.

“During Paul’s career at Bleasdale, the winery has won many awards and trophies, including the 2018 Halliday Winemaker of the Year, the 2019 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, the 2018 Max Schubert Trophy, and the 2024 Halliday Winery of the Year,” said Robert Edwards at the time.

“This is no easy feat, Paul and his team have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of our wines each and every year.”

Matt Laube, who started working under Hotker's leadership at Bleasdale in 2009, was announced as his replacement in May.