Robert Oatley Vineyards

Along with a number of valued family members, including eldest son Andrew (Sandy) who heads the business, Bob Oatley has augmented his trusted, highly experienced team with a carefully selected mix of new experts, combining experience, knowledge, innovation and enthusiasm to realise the long-term vision for Robert Oatley Vineyards.

Bob Oatley – Chairman

Founder, Chairman and internationally famous wine man, Bob Oatley (82) has 40 years experience in crafting market-leading Australian wines that people enjoy drinking. Bob is a proud and passionate Australian with interests as diverse as agriculture, wine, tourism, vintage cars and world-class sailing.

Andrew ‘Sandy’ Oatley – Executive Chairman

Bob Oatley’s elder son, Sandy is the firm’s Executive Chairman. At 59 years of age he has spent most his adult life running the family’s agricultural interests – from grapevines through to cattle and horses. Sandy now runs all of their business activities under Bob’s watchful eye.

Chris Hancock HonMW – Deputy Executive Chairman

Chris, a qualified winemaker and Australian wine ‘legend’ has worked for the Oatley’s wine interests for over 30 years (since 1975). Chris is one of just a few of the world’s honorary Masters of Wine (with Robert Mondavi, Christian Bizot & Harry Waugh) and as Bob says “basically runs the (Oatley) wine business.”

Anthony Roberts - Chief Executive Officer

Anthony is responsible for the day to day management of Robert Oatley vineyards' worldwide operations, fine-tuning brand offerings and enhancing the company's distribution network. Anthony brings a wealth of wine industry managerial expertise, most recently as Managing Director of Lion Nathan Wine where he joined as Commercial Manager Sales & Operations in 2001 and progressed to Managing Director from 2006 to 2011. Prior to Lion, Nathan Anthony enjoyed a decade with Yalumba Wines.

Larry Cherubino – Director of Winemaking

Robert Oatley’s Director of Winemaking, Larry Cherubino, is acknowledged as one of leading the lights of contemporary Australian wine. Acclaimed critic James Halliday anointed Cherubino Winery of the Year in the Australian Wine Companion 2011, citing one of the many reasons as his “focus on single-vineyard and single-region wines ... a path that more and more Australian wine producers must follow if we are to fundamentally change the negative perceptions of the diversity, the quality and the style of our wines, and of our aspirations for the future.” While Cherubino was recognised by Halliday specifically for his mastery of Western Australia’s premier regions, he is widely acknowledged for his vast experience in regions across Australia and around the world.

Daphne Christie – Managing Director, Canada

Daphne is leading the Canadian launch for Robert Oatley Vineyards under the mentorship and direction of Chris Hancock. Together with the talent and enthusiasm of 4 regionally appointed agents, the Canadian launch is right on track. Daphne has a passion for wine and a special place on her palate for Australian wines. She has held several commercial leadership roles in the Canadian wine business for the past 23 years, 17 of which have had close connections with leading Australian wine brands. Working on the Robert Oatley brand represents a second run with the Oatley family wine business, having been an integral part in the success of Rosemount Estate dating back to the late 1990’s.

Peter Hayes – Viticultural Consultant

A viticulturist for over 25 years, Peter is the President of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. Having worked with the family in the Hunter Valley, he now plays a vital role in wine quality advances as he advises them on vineyard strategy and improvements.

Sam Hayne – General Manager Mudgee and Senior Viticulturist

Sam first joined the Oatleys in 1974 as a cellarhand. Via various leaps and bounds he became Sandy’s right-hand-man running vineyards and operations in the Hunter Valley and now as General Manager Mudgee oversees administration and operations for the region as well as leading a crack team of vineyard managers and workers.