Gareth Belton from Gentle Folk joins the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast to talk about his unlikely path from marine botany and seaweed fieldwork to farming some of the Adelaide Hills’ most compelling sites.

We dig into how Gareth’s scientific mindset influences decisions in the vineyard and winery, why site (aspect, altitude, soil) matters so much in the Adelaide Hills, and how Gentle Folk’s style has evolved from early, freewheeling releases into refined, terroir-driven wines.

You’ll also hear the story behind the Gentle Folk name, the reality of organic farming on steep slopes, the economics of growing grapes versus buying fruit, and why Gareth thinks sauvignon blanc is one of the most misunderstood varieties in Australia.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is hosted by Halliday editor Anna Webster.

Gentle Folk Wines

Gentle Folk on Instagram

Halliday Wine Companion

Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram

Anna Webster on Instagram

Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion

 

In this episode

00:00 Intro
00:15 From marine biology to a PhD in seaweed
02:35 The wine bug and Adelaide as a turning point
05:00 Natural wine, accessibility, and learning from peers
06:51 Making wedding wine and the first “serious” vintage
09:52 Why it’s called Gentle Folk
12:00 Farming grapes, leasing vineyards, and going organic
16:56 Scientific thinking in wine: test everything
19:06 Adelaide Hills site differences: aspect, altitude, soil
23:23 Farming philosophy, organic practice, and “pretty vineyards”
26:24 Evolution of style and the role of single-vineyard wines
34:32 Key influences and the wines Gareth loves to drink
40:22 Sauvignon blanc, texture, and changing attitudes
43:48 Father’s Milk: the real story and the long lunches
54:13 What’s next: more sangiovese and Tuscany harvest dreams
56:27 Current releases and final thoughts

 

Gareth Belton, Gentle Folk, Adelaide Hills, Basket Range, Piccadilly Valley, chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, sangiovese, organic viticulture, single vineyard wine, Halliday Wine Companion, Australian wine.

#HallidayWineCompanion #GentleFolk #AdelaideHills #AustralianWine #Chardonnay #PinotNoir #SauvignonBlanc

Gareth Belton from Gentle Folk joins the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast to talk about his unlikely path from marine botany and seaweed fieldwork to farming some of the Adelaide Hills&rsquo; most compelling sites.
We dig into how Gareth&rsquo;s scientific mindset influences decisions in the vineyard and winery, why site (aspect, altitude, soil) matters so much in the Adelaide Hills, and how Gentle Folk&rsquo;s style has evolved from early, freewheeling releases into refined, terroir-driven wines.
You&rsquo;ll also hear the story behind the Gentle Folk name, the reality of organic farming on steep slopes, the economics of growing grapes versus buying fruit, and why Gareth thinks sauvignon blanc is one of the most misunderstood varieties in Australia.
The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is hosted by Halliday editor Anna Webster.
<a href="https://gentlefolk.com.au/">Gentle Folk Wines</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/gentlefolkwine">Gentle Folk on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://winecompanion.com.au/">Halliday Wine Companion</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/winecompanion/">Halliday&nbsp;Wine Companion on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/annawebster_">Anna Webster on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/products/2026-halliday-wine-companion">Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion</a>
&nbsp;
In this episode
00:00 Intro 00:15 From marine biology to a PhD in seaweed 02:35 The wine bug and Adelaide as a turning point 05:00 Natural wine, accessibility, and learning from peers 06:51 Making wedding wine and the first &ldquo;serious&rdquo; vintage 09:52 Why it&rsquo;s called Gentle Folk 12:00 Farming grapes, leasing vineyards, and going organic 16:56 Scientific thinking in wine: test everything 19:06 Adelaide Hills site differences: aspect, altitude, soil 23:23 Farming philosophy, organic practice, and &ldquo;pretty vineyards&rdquo; 26:24 Evolution of style and the role of single-vineyard wines 34:32 Key influences and the wines Gareth loves to drink 40:22 Sauvignon blanc, texture, and changing attitudes 43:48 Father&rsquo;s Milk: the real story and the long lunches 54:13 What&rsquo;s next: more sangiovese and Tuscany harvest dreams 56:27 Current releases and final thoughts
&nbsp;
Gareth Belton, Gentle Folk, Adelaide Hills, Basket Range, Piccadilly Valley, chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, sangiovese, organic viticulture, single vineyard wine, Halliday Wine Companion, Australian wine.
#HallidayWineCompanion #GentleFolk #AdelaideHills #AustralianWine #Chardonnay #PinotNoir #SauvignonBlanc

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

 Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
&nbsp;Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Halliday Wine Companion

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.