Our People

Jeff Howard and wife Val are beef cattle producers who were looking for a new challenge in complement their life on the land.

The island’s cool climate combined with the limestone soils of Porky Flat had long been suggested as a likely place for grape production. So in 1994 Jeff and Val decided to take the plunge with a small 2.2 acre planting of Shiraz.

At the same time, Alan ‘Nugget’ Willson and wife Jo were seeking to put a small section of land to more profitable use and commenced planting 10 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on what was to become the Hog Bay River vineyard.

In recent years, Jeff and Val’s son, Brodie Howard, has become increasingly involved in the Dudley wine business and now attends to the many matters requiring attention on a daily basis. He has been honing his winemaking skills and, together with Jeff, forms the father and son team in charge of all production at Dudley Wines.

Additionally, a group of Kangaroo Island families involved in the Grassy Flat Vineyards have taken on an equity stake in the company, also supplying grapes from their own plantings.

Finally, Cellar Door manager Adam Hay rounds out the team. A qualified chef with a wealth of management experience and a passion for wine, Adam will often be the first friendly face you see when you vist the Cellar Door.

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Winemakers Brodie and Jeff Howard