Conversations In Wine – Wendy Allan Pindaire Winery Barosa Valley
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is on and we’ve interviewed a few winemakers whose wines you could taste at the 2025 Festival. Here’s our Q&A with Kailee Frasch of Wendy Allan of Pindarie Winery in the Barossa Valley, Australia. Find more on the Wine Festival here. Read more about the women winemakers at this year’s festival here.
Pindarie Wines is set on the Barossa’s Western Ridge, nestled between rolling ranges, rich farmland, and pristine vineyards. Pindarie acts as the gateway to the Barossa Valley at the peak of the contoured farm.
When and how did you know the wine industry was where you belonged?
I’ve always been involved in agriculture, but viticulture was more interesting for me as you could follow the product from vineyard to wine. You can’t do that for cereals, beef, lamb, or orchards.
Who, or what, inspired you to be in wine? Do you have a mentor?
I’ve always liked drinking wine and the differences each region can produce. Regionality makes it interesting. After graduating in 1987, I worked for Penfolds, and the team was great to work with. Anrew Pike and Rob Gibson were great mentors for women in the wine industry, as back in the early 1990s, there were only a few of us.
Where did you study/learn to make wine?
At Roseworthy College (campus in the country for Adelaide University)
Do you have a favourite style of wine?
I love Mediterranean-style medium-bodied reds, even chilled reds; they are my favourites. Sangiovese and Tempranillo styles in particular. Our TSS blend is delicious and is like Europe in a bottle, but it’s Australian.
What is your favourite food & wine pairing?
Well, I actually drink chilled reds with seafood or hard, strong-flavoured cheese. I don’t get fussy about food pairings, as I like a drink on its own. But if I have to answer, I would say our TSS blend or Stonecutter Sangiovese with an Indian curry or a big bowl of pasta (tomato-based).
Do you have a favourite wine region aside from where you are working/living?
NZ central Otago Pinot noir.
What are you doing when you are not in the vineyard/winery?
Trekking with girlfriends on long walks and staying in great places. Or the ocean and beach in summer in South Australia.
How are you reacting to climate change in your part of the world?
I’m adapting and planting varieties like Fiano and Montepulciano that can ripen later and handle hot dry climates. Also, adapt the way we grow our vines…now with more canopy and shade.
What do you love about your current winery/role/job?
Well, I run my own business, and I have a long-standing great team of people. Meeting new customers and attending trade shows is great, but I also love vintage as it takes all year to nurture, prune and care for the vines and seeing the outcome and harvesting making wine is a great feeling. Even season is different and presents challenges, so it is never boring. Having a cellar door is great too as we get people from all over the world here and they love the wines and our view.
If wine wasn’t your career, what would you be doing?
Trading shares on the share market and live on the beach and volunteering to help disadvantaged school kids (I sponsor a couple now for a great foundation called the Smith family Foundation )But I have a great life here, so probably the same.
Are you part of an organization for women in wine?
No not really as I don’t like to segregate. I had a great time in the 1990’s in the workplace with lots of men, and I don’t care if male, female, or bi or whatever, as long as you are a good person and can do a job well. A mix is better and more balanced.
Any advice for women wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Believe in yourself, work hard and love what you do.
