The Winemaking Team

Our family run business values people, and our people are what make Harvey River Bridge Estate great.
Our head winemaker, supported by his team, are passionate about wine and work hard to produce varieties of high quality and taste.

STUART PIERCE, Winemaker Adelaide born Stuart Pierce's love of wine was cemented with his first vintage experience at Chateau Coutet, in France. He has since worked for wineries across Australia in the regions of Padthaway (SA), South Burnett (QLD) and Geographe (WA). "My first vintage experience was at Chateau Coutet, vintage 1992. It was there in Barsac that I knew that winemaking was to be my profession. On my return to Australia I enrolled at the University of Adelaide for the degree of Agricultural Science, majoring in Oenology. My life changed when I was offered a position to work in the Clare Valley for the highly respected winemaker Jeffrey Grosset, and it was there I learnt the fundamentals of winemaking. My appointment with Harvey River Bridge Estate began on the eve of the 2005 vintage and since this time I have developed a great appreciation for the fruit grown in this region and the wines that are made". Stuart has won an impressive array of awards for his winemaking skills, topped by his recent win of the Jimmy Watson Trophy for the Joseph River Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Harvey River Bridge Estate's premium wine label. Stuart maintains a simple philosophy for his winemaking: "My wines are approachable and best for drinking in a social atmosphere. The ultimate compliment is when an entire bottle is consumed when just one glass was intended!".
JURIE DE PLESSIS, Assistant Winemaker "My love for wine began when I moved to South Africa's Cape Province as a boy. The mountains and rolling vineyards coupled with the opportunity to be both scientific and artistic captured my imagination and convinced me to become a winemaker". Jurie went on to study a B.Sc. (Agric) with Viticulture and Oenology as his main subjects at the University of Stellenbosch after which he began his career at Badsberg Cellar in the mountainous Rawsonville region. Jurie was employed as Viticulturist for this 16,000 tonne winery with a focus on developing a quality grading system to improve the overall wine quality. After the success achieved at Badsberg, Porterville Cellars in the Swartland Region approached Jurie to implement a similar system. Jurie joined the team at Harvey River Bridge Estate in 2006.
LAMONT SCARLET (MONTY), Leading Cellarhand Monty has recently joined Harvey River Bridge Estate and is an invaluable part of the winemaking team, offering a much needed hand to Jurie and Stuart as he learns the fine skills of the trade. Originally from Geelong, Victoria, Monty made the move across state to Western Australia 5 years ago, eventually making his way down the coast to the Harvey region. A fan of white wine, Monty's pick is the Billy Goat Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. When he's not working or studying, he spends his spare time toughing it out on his mountain bike in the beautiful Ferguson Valley.
BELINDA ROGERS, Cellardoor Assistant Belinda is the friendly host of our cellardoor. After years away travelling the world and living in beautiful spots around Holland, Broome, and Australind this Harvey girl is now happily settled back in her hometown. With a strong background in retail sales as well as a love for red wine, Belinda enjoys dishing out samples to all who pop in to the vineyard, eager to pass on her passion for our wine range. Belinda enjoys a red wine in the winter months with her favorite being our Billy Goat Hill Cabernet Merlot, Billy Goat Hill Cabernet Sauvignon or Stone Gully Shiraz Zinfandel. Of course a nice cold glass of white is welcome in the summer. Her favorite whites are our Billy Goat Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Joseph River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Harvey River Bridge Estate Viognier or Billy Goat Hill Muscat a Petit Grains.
SCOTT CHATLEY, Sales Manager Scott Chatley has worked for Harvey Fresh for 11 years, heading up the country sales team for Harvey Fresh and Harvey River Bridge Estate. While living in Broome, his love for an Italian Harvey woman brought him to Harvey Fresh. Scott has a background in wine sales and liquor store management, giving him a solid understanding of what consumers and store owners want and need. Scott spends time in the office at Harvey, and is regularly out on the road visiting his stores around Australia.
REBECCA SMITH, National Wine Sales Manager Like Stuart, Rebecca hails from South Australia, born and bred in the South East Area (Coonawarra) where her family remain. Alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce, Rebecca has a vast array of experience in the wine industry, with over 20 years experience in Hospitality Management, as well being owner/operater of a successful Hotel and Bar. Rebecca has worked in distribution for well-known brands such as Oyster Bay (NZ), d'Arenberg, West Cape Howe (WA), Koonara (Coonawarra), Balnaves (Coonawarra), Crabtree (Clare, WA), Vinaceous and Hay Shed Hill (WA). She moved to Western Australia 2 years ago with her partner, loving the laid-back lifestyle that WA offers.