Hunter Valley winery Bimbadgen Estate has announced the appointment of Michael Hatcher as Chief Winemaker and Head of Sales & Distribution.
In his new role, Hatcher will lead the estate’s winemaking program while also strengthening its distribution and export strategy as it looks to “expand its reach across both domestic and international markets,” a spokesperson for Bimbadgen writes.
Bimbadgen’s General Manager of Hunter Valley Operations Jordan Rodgers adds to this by saying “it’s great to have Michael join our team … His genuine pride in the place the Hunter Valley holds in Australian wine history and his understanding of the nuances of Hunter Valley viticulture and winemaking are impressive and genuine.”
Michael Hatcher will bring to the role more than 25 years of industry experience across a diverse array of winemaking, commercial leadership, and national wine buying roles. This includes most recently as the Operations Manager and Winemaker at Bunnamagoo Estate in Mudgee, along with other senior roles, including a stint as the National Wine Buyer for Wine Selectors.
“In addition to Michael’s winemaking success and experience, his commercial understanding of sales and distribution makes him a key appointment to our team in this critical role,” Jordan Rodgers says.
Hatcher’s appointment at Bimbadgen will see him return to the Hunter Valley where he once trained under the late Philip John, the celebrated winemaker behind Lindeman’s iconic Bin 65 Chardonnay.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Hunter Valley after 14 years,” said the incoming Chief Winemaker and Head of Sales & Distribution.
“To me, this is Australia’s premier wine region, rich in history and authenticity. My winemaking philosophy is about creating wines with a true sense of time and place, allowing each vintage to speak for itself with minimal intervention.”
The Bimbadgen Estate and its Signature series chardonnay
In addition to leading Bimbadgen’s winemaking team, Michael Hatcher will also focus on strengthening existing trade relationships, building new partnerships across Australia and internationally, and engaging the next generation of wine drinkers.
“I’m excited to join a business like Bimbadgen that has the scale, spirit, and ambition to reach more people, more meaningfully, both in Australia and abroad,” Michael Hatcher said.