Podcast

The Drinking Hour podcast: Tim Shand of Voyager Estate

In episode 171 of The Drinking Hour, host David Kermode is joined by Tim Shand, chief winemaker at Voyager Estate in Australia's Margaret River, to discuss the challenges and rewards of sustainable winemaking

Words by Club Oenologique Editors

Voyager estate
A vineyard at Voyager Estate, a producer with a strong focus on producing organic wine and reducing its carbon footprint

In episode 171 of The Drinking Hour podcast, David Kermode meets with Tim Shand, chief winemaker at Voyager Estate in Australia’s Margaret River.

First on the agenda is Shand’s journey to the position, one that saw him travel throughout Europe and the Americas, working in a variety of vineyards before making his way back to Margaret River. Kermode and Shand discuss the history of Voyager Estate, from its founding by Michael Wright, a teetotaler with a love of South Africa, to the decision to switch to sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices by current owner and daughter of Michael Wright, Alexandra Burt.

On the topic of sustainable winemaking, Shand explains how Voyager has adapted its practices to address climate change through the use of solar power, signing on to the International Wineries for Climate Action and switching to lightweight bottles. He also discusses some of the challenges of making the switch to sustainable winemaking, why the vineyard has a flock of ducks, and explains why he prefers using concrete rather than oak vessels.

Kermode and Shand conclude their conversation by examining the future of Australian winemaking, including Shand’s predictions about the roles set to be played by older vines and sustainable, balanced winemaking.

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