Calabria Family Wine has announced its current winemaker Emma Norbiato has been promoted to take over as Chief Winemaker from Bill Calabria.
The Chief Winemaker role will see Norbiato working with the company’s winemakers and grape growers and take responsibility for the winemaking and stylistic direction of the Calabria Family wine portfolio.
“They say you are only as good as the sum of your parts, and I am very fortunate to be part of a good team. I am truly excited about the upcoming wine developments we have ahead for 2018, from multiple regions around Australia,” Norbiato said.
In paying tribute to Bill’s legacy, she added: “Bill has been a great asset of our region and mentor to many. I am deeply honoured to take on this position and share the Calabria family story and wines.”
Calabria Family Wines was established in 1945 and has grown into a popular Australian winemaker with Bill as director and winemaker. He will now oversee viticulture management and said that Norbiato’s appointment reinforced the strong direction the family company will be investing in its portfolio moving forward.
“Emma’s passion has allowed her to shine through the ranks at Calabria Family Wines right up to Chief Winemaker. Her extensive knowledge of the Australian wine industry, together with the strength of Emma’s award winning winemaking will be a credit to the Calabria Family Wines brand and I know that she will continue to nurture the future direction of our portfolio. My Family and I are looking forward to seeing the team drive the brand forward under Emma’s leadership,” Bill said.
Norbiato joined the winemaking team at Calabria Family Wines in 2009, she has 18 vintages of winemaking experience and in 2016 she was named the Australia’s Women in Wine ‘Winemaker of the Year’.