Charm of northern Italy, provenance of Yarra Valley
Our first vintages attracted many accolades including our exclusive Savarro winning consecutive trophies at the 2011 and 2012 Federation Square Wine Showcase as well as gathering not less than 14 medals and trophies.
As our wine flight expands, we continue to focus on styles from northern Italy including Savarro, Pinot Grigio, Ai Fiori (Rosato), Brachetto, Marzemino, Nebbiolo and Barbera as well as the eastern French varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Viognier.
Meet Our Team
DIRECTOR
Overseeing the family investment, Brett has been involved in the wine business all his life. Initially in the domestic and international five-star hotel, on-premise business and then onto his role in helping set up Soumah as a premium wine producer. “We focused on the Yarra for its acclaim in producing cool climate, clear varietal wines with savoury elegance. The Soumah raison d’etre is to support this fame with the definitive vineyard site, nurturing viticulture and a focus on quality over quantity.
CHIEF WINEMAKER
Scott was born into viticulture, growing up on a family vineyard in Mildura. He began his career in 1989 with Yalumba, then went on to gain worldwide experience in the Napa Valley at Oakville Ranch, Loire Valley at Jacques Lurton and over to Malborough at Rapaura. In 2005, Scott designed a new winery which formed a base to produce super premium wines.
DIRECTOR OF VITICULTURE
Lucas has 20 years’ experience in the viticulture industry, particularly in the Yarra Valley. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the SOUMAH team. He really enjoys the challenge of growing Pinot Noir and discovering what each season can bring, as well as all aspects of Italian grape varieties. Lucas enjoys spending his weekends with his family exploring other wine regions of Australia.
GENERAL MANAGER
TJ was born and bred on the terra rossa soil of Coonawarra, wine is in her blood. She completed an oenology degree at the University of Adelaide and has produced some great wines over 10 years of winemaking in Coonawarra. TJ and her husband moved to the Yarra Valley to become involved in its innovative wine and food culture and to nurture a love of Pinot Noir. Outside of work she keeps busy with her two children.
DIRECTOR | SALES, MARKETING, & LOGISTICS
Being a second-generation winemaker, Dmitri has been around a winery his entire life. Over the last 10 years he has gone from vineyards, cellars, barrel storages, anywhere where he could get his hands dirty with this glorious product we call wine to sales and marketing. At Soumah, Dmitri oversees national and global sales and distribution, promoting Soumah of Yarra Valley to the world.
SALES MANAGER
Scott has been managing bars and restaurants for the last 14 years throughout Tasmania and Melbourne. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the team and is currently studying every aspect of wine he can.
SALES MANAGER
Born and raised in the U.S, Mark has been a baker, a chef, a restaurant manager, and beverage director for several restaurants. His passion for wine lead him into selling and representing several international portfolio’s for more than 10 years. Mark owned his own wine education business in Colorado teaching people about wines from around the world. He studied winemaking in Napa, California while working in the cellars of several prestigious wineries. Mark moved to Melbourne 9 years ago with his family and loves cooking, eating, and drinking wines with balance and complexity.
FINANCE
Originally from the UK, Jane began her wine experience working for a wine merchant in London, exporting wine to the USA. After moving to Australia in 1983, she worked in Finance and Hospitality balancing the books. Jane and her husband fulfilled a lifetime dream with a tree change, moving from the city to a five-acre sleepy hollow with their cats, dogs and chickens and they have never looked back.
DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY
Born on the edge of the Yarra Valley, Lucy has worked in the hospitality industry, locally and overseas. Working in restaurants, hotels and bars, she has cultivated a passion for food and wine. Settling into Healesville ten years ago with her family, Lucy has immersed herself into everything the Yarra Valley has to offer. She loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge with everyone she meets.
HEAD CHEF
Ai Fiori’s Chef Jak has been serving up delicious plates to Melbourne foodies for the past 30-plus years. He has worked at the RACV Club, Myer, the Rialto, Arts Centre Melbourne as well as patisserie and Melbourne bakery institution The French Lettuce — just to name a few!
His plates are generous (just like a true Italian) and his desserts are to-die-for!
SOUS CHEF
Damian has been working kitchens throughout Australia since his teenage years and has always had a love of food and travel. An indigenous man born in Queensland, he grew up in the Noosa hinterland and now lives in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges with his wife and young twins.
MARKETING MANAGER
Georgia and her partner relocated to the Yarra Valley from Marlborough a year ago, after spending over two years in the largest wine producing area in New Zealand. From hanging out in vineyards, wine cellars and cellar doors there’s no where else Georgia wants to spend her time!
DIRECTOR
Overseeing the family investment, Brett has been involved in the wine business all his life. Initially in the domestic and international five-star hotel, on-premise business and then onto his role in helping set up Soumah as a premium wine producer. “We focused on the Yarra for its acclaim in producing cool climate, clear varietal wines with savoury elegance. The Soumah raison d’etre is to support this fame with the definitive vineyard site, nurturing viticulture and a focus on quality over quantity.
CHIEF WINEMAKER
Scott was born into viticulture, growing up on a family vineyard in Mildura. He began his career in 1989 with Yalumba, then went on to gain worldwide experience in the Napa Valley at Oakville Ranch, Loire Valley at Jacques Lurton and over to Malborough at Rapaura. In 2005, Scott designed a new winery which formed a base to produce super premium wines.
DIRECTOR OF VITICULTURE
Lucas has 20 years’ experience in the viticulture industry, particularly in the Yarra Valley. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the SOUMAH team. He really enjoys the challenge of growing Pinot Noir and discovering what each season can bring, as well as all aspects of Italian grape varieties. Lucas enjoys spending his weekends with his family exploring other wine regions of Australia.
GENERAL MANAGER
TJ was born and bred on the terra rossa soil of Coonawarra, wine is in her blood. She completed an oenology degree at the University of Adelaide and has produced some great wines over 10 years of winemaking in Coonawarra. TJ and her husband moved to the Yarra Valley to become involved in its innovative wine and food culture and to nurture a love of Pinot Noir. Outside of work she keeps busy with her two children.
DIRECTOR | SALES, MARKETING, & LOGISTICS
Being a second-generation winemaker, Dmitri has been around a winery his entire life. Over the last 10 years he has gone from vineyards, cellars, barrel storages, anywhere where he could get his hands dirty with this glorious product we call wine to sales and marketing. At Soumah, Dmitri oversees national and global sales and distribution, promoting Soumah of Yarra Valley to the world.
SALES MANAGER
Scott has been managing bars and restaurants for the last 14 years throughout Tasmania and Melbourne. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the team and is currently studying every aspect of wine he can.
SALES MANAGER
Born and raised in the U.S, Mark has been a baker, a chef, a restaurant manager, and beverage director for several restaurants. His passion for wine lead him into selling and representing several international portfolio’s for more than 10 years. Mark owned his own wine education business in Colorado teaching people about wines from around the world. He studied winemaking in Napa, California while working in the cellars of several prestigious wineries. Mark moved to Melbourne 9 years ago with his family and loves cooking, eating, and drinking wines with balance and complexity.
FINANCE
Originally from the UK, Jane began her wine experience working for a wine merchant in London, exporting wine to the USA. After moving to Australia in 1983, she worked in Finance and Hospitality balancing the books. Jane and her husband fulfilled a lifetime dream with a tree change, moving from the city to a five-acre sleepy hollow with their cats, dogs and chickens and they have never looked back.
DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY
Born on the edge of the Yarra Valley, Lucy has worked in the hospitality industry, locally and overseas. Working in restaurants, hotels and bars, she has cultivated a passion for food and wine. Settling into Healesville ten years ago with her family, Lucy has immersed herself into everything the Yarra Valley has to offer. She loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge with everyone she meets.
HEAD CHEF
Ai Fiori’s Chef Jak has been serving up delicious plates to Melbourne foodies for the past 30-plus years. He has worked at the RACV Club, Myer, the Rialto, Arts Centre Melbourne as well as patisserie and Melbourne bakery institution The French Lettuce — just to name a few!
His plates are generous (just like a true Italian) and his desserts are to-die-for!
SOUS CHEF
Damian has been working kitchens throughout Australia since his teenage years and has always had a love of food and travel. An indigenous man born in Queensland, he grew up in the Noosa hinterland and now lives in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges with his wife and young twins.
MARKETING MANAGER
Georgia and her partner relocated to the Yarra Valley from Marlborough a year ago, after spending over two years in the largest wine producing area in New Zealand. From hanging out in vineyards, wine cellars and cellar doors there’s no where else Georgia wants to spend her time!
Our Vineyards
Our Growing Values
