By Deborah Jackson, editor National Liquor News
Margaret River based winery Devil’s Lair has appointed Luke Skeer as its new senior winemaker.
Skeer, a former Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year, has relocated to the Margaret River following seven years at Wynns Coonwarra Estate.
As senior winemaker, he will lead the team working with winemakers Ben Miller and Matt Godfrey, viticulturist Simon Robertson and the broader team.
Skeer is looking forward to expanding his skills in winery management, further cultivating the team and family-like culture at Devil’s Lair and working more with Chardonnay.
“I think the Devil’s Lair wines are in a fantastic place and I really want to build on the solid foundation that the team have worked hard to establish.
“I’m looking forward to embracing a different style of Cabernet and really understanding Margaret River’s sub-regions, working much more in depth with Chardonnay and continually ensuring that the small details of exceptional winemaking are met in order to ensure the quality of each vintage.”
Skeer’s appointment coincides with the inaugural 2011 Devil’s Lair 9th Chamber Cabernet being awarded Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year at James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion awards.