In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, winemaker Tessa Brown shares her remarkable journey from growing up on a sugarcane farm in Queensland to establishing boutique winery Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown in Beechworth. Tessa opens up about the challenges and triumphs of winemaking, the importance of careful site selection, and her philosophy of capturing purity of fruit in their wines. She discusses the benefits of collaboration with neighbouring vineyards, the unique impact of high altitude viticulture, and insights into their range, including riesling and nebbiolo. Connect with us:

Halliday Wine Companion

Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram

Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown on Instagram

Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown

Halliday Wine Club

Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion

LANGTONS

LANGTONS on Instagram

Key Takeaways:
Tessa’s path to winemaking was inspired by her family’s experience with commodity farming.
A visit to a cellar door revealed the deep connection between growers and consumers, influencing her decision to study viticulture.
Establishing Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown required careful planning and mentorship from industry experts.
The Beechworth property was undeveloped, offering a blank canvas for innovative viticulture.
Grape varieties were chosen based on site potential and Tessa’s personal taste preferences.
Early challenges included delayed harvests due to bushfires, with the first successful commercial harvest in 2021.
Collaborating with neighbouring vineyards has proven mutually beneficial.
High altitude vineyards provide advantages such as better acid retention and distinct flavour profiles.
The Obstgarten range showcases a modern approach to riesling and other varieties, inspired by European – specifically German – techniques.
Tessa’s winemaking philosophy focuses on minimal intervention to highlight the essence of the fruit.



Episode Chapters:
00:00 Acknowledging the Land and Introduction to Winemaking
03:00 From Sugarcane to Vines: Tessa’s Journey
05:59 Establishing Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown
09:02 The Beechworth Property: A New Beginning
11:40 Choosing Varieties: The First Plantings
14:59 Harvesting and Early Challenges
17:40 Collaborations and Neighboring Vineyards
20:29 High Altitude Winemaking: Influence on Wine
23:39 The Obstgarten Range: A New Direction
26:42 Winemaking Philosophy: Capturing Purity of Fruit

29:51 Future Plans and Cellar Door Experience

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, winemaker Tessa Brown shares her remarkable journey from growing up on a sugarcane farm in Queensland to establishing boutique winery Vignerons Schm&ouml;lzer &amp; Brown in Beechworth. Tessa opens up about the challenges and triumphs of winemaking, the importance of careful site selection, and her philosophy of capturing purity of fruit in their wines. She discusses the benefits of collaboration with neighbouring vineyards, the unique impact of high altitude viticulture, and insights into their range, including riesling and nebbiolo. Connect with us:
<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/vsandbwines/">Vignerons Schm&ouml;lzer &amp; Brown on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.vsandb.com.au/">Vignerons Schm&ouml;lzer &amp; Brown</a>
<a href="https://winecompanion.com.au/wine-club">Halliday Wine Club</a>
<a href="https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/products/2026-halliday-wine-companion">Buy the&nbsp;2026 Halliday Wine Companion</a>
<a href="https://www.langtons.com.au/">LANGTONS</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/langtonsfinewine/">LANGTONS on Instagram</a>
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tessa&rsquo;s path to winemaking was inspired by her family&rsquo;s experience with commodity farming.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A visit to a cellar door revealed the deep connection between growers and consumers, influencing her decision to study viticulture.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Establishing Vignerons Schm&ouml;lzer &amp; Brown required careful planning and mentorship from industry experts.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Beechworth property was undeveloped, offering a blank canvas for innovative viticulture.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Grape varieties were chosen based on site potential and Tessa&rsquo;s personal taste preferences.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Early challenges included delayed harvests due to bushfires, with the first successful commercial harvest in 2021.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Collaborating with neighbouring vineyards has proven mutually beneficial.</li>
<li aria-level="1">High altitude vineyards provide advantages such as better acid retention and distinct flavour profiles.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Obstgarten range showcases a modern approach to riesling and other varieties, inspired by European &ndash; specifically German &ndash; techniques.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tessa&rsquo;s winemaking philosophy focuses on minimal intervention to highlight the essence of the fruit. </li>
</ul>
Episode Chapters:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">00:00 Acknowledging the Land and Introduction to Winemaking</li>
<li aria-level="1">03:00 From Sugarcane to Vines: Tessa&rsquo;s Journey</li>
<li aria-level="1">05:59 Establishing Vignerons Schm&ouml;lzer &amp; Brown</li>
<li aria-level="1">09:02 The Beechworth Property: A New Beginning</li>
<li aria-level="1">11:40 Choosing Varieties: The First Plantings</li>
<li aria-level="1">14:59 Harvesting and Early Challenges</li>
<li aria-level="1">17:40 Collaborations and Neighboring Vineyards</li>
<li aria-level="1">20:29 High Altitude Winemaking: Influence on Wine</li>
<li aria-level="1">23:39 The Obstgarten Range: A New Direction</li>
<li aria-level="1">26:42 Winemaking Philosophy: Capturing Purity of Fruit</li>
</ul>
29:51 Future Plans and Cellar Door Experience

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.

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