WINEMAKER

Winemaker, Troy Kalleske, is a sixth generation Barossan whose family has been growing grapes since 1853. Troy grew up amongst the vines and from a young age Troy was grape picking and pruning the vines planted by his great-great-great grandfather many years earlier. Troy is not only the hands-on winemaker for Pirathon, but also for his family’s estate range of ‘Kalleske’ wines.

In 1999 Troy graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) Degree from the University of Adelaide, achieving a distinction average. During his studies Troy was awarded no less than three scholarships, including the prestigious South Australian Wine and Brandy Industry Association Medal for Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology).

Following university, Troy was part of the winemaking team at Penfolds, Veritas, Seppelts, Miranda, Lindemans, and Kendall-Jackson. In 2002, after 149 years of farming and grape-growing by the Kalleske family, Troy took the next step and established the Kalleske winery. It is here where Troy hand crafts Pirathon wines.

Since releasing his own wines, Troy has rapidly gained national and international recognition as one of the Barossa’s and Australia’s best young winemakers.