Orlando announces new winemaker following Decanter win

Tim Pelquest-Hunt is the new Chief Winemaker for Orlando with the news arriving on the back of news that the Orlando 2019 Lyndale Chardonnay was awarded Best In Show at the 2022 Decanter Awards.

Mr Pelquest-Hunt has been in the position since May although he has worked with Pernod Ricard Winemakers at Orlando and Jacob’s Creek since 2013.

He says he intends to walk the balance of modernising the Australian brand along with honouring its 170 year history.

“To be entrusted with custodianship of an iconic and historic wine brand in Orlando is extremely humbling,” said Pelquest-Hunt. “Orlando was formulative in developing my love of wine, none more so than Steingarten Riesling, which was the first six-pack of wine I ever purchased. 

“The rich tapestry of Orlando’s winemaking history reshaped the face of the Australian wine industry, defining regional classics and the concept of ‘sense of place’ in a glass. These are special wines from treasured places. Alongside a talented team, I look forward to continuing this legacy while influencing the evolution of wine styles that will excite palates everywhere.”

Last year Mr Pelquest-Hunt completed the 2022 Len Evans Tutorial. He has been dux of the Australian Wine Research Institute’s “Advanced Wine Assessment Course”, is a wine show judge, and sits on the Barossa Wine Show committee.

Brett McKinnon, Chief Operations Officer for Pernod Ricard Winemakers said: “After nine years with the business, we are proud to see Tim stepping into the role of Orlando Chief Winemaker. He combines a wealth of global experience from wine regions all over the world with a passion and curiosity for winemaking. Tim is committed to maintaining brand quality and heritage whilst being an advocate for the sustainable growth of the Australian wine industry into the future. We look forward to seeing him continuing the success of the Orlando brand.”

Mr Pelquest-Hunt’s love for wine started at a Sydney wine store and his talent for wine tasting led him to take a leap into winemaking, completing the Viticulture and Oenology graduate program at Lincoln University in New Zealand.

He has had a diverse range of experience in winemaking regions, including the Hunter Valley, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Rheinhessen (Germany) and specialising in sparkling winemaking in West Sussex (UK) and Napa Valley (US).