Sam Kurtz, Chief Winemaker - St Hugo

Sam Kurtz is the sixth generation of his family to remain living and working in the Barossa Valley. He was lured away from his plans to be a civil engineer after filling oak barrels whilst working as a cellar hand one vintage. Graduating with a winemaking degree from Roseworthy Agricultural College he then worked in Griffith New South Wales, California and Hungary.

In 1993 he returned home to the Barossa as a White Winemaker for Orlando, but was finally able to pursue his vision to specialise in red wines in 1997. He took more responsibility as Group Red Winemaker since 2000. In particular Sam Kurtz has been crafting St Hugo wines for over 15 years, and in 2012 he was given the new title of Chief Winemaker of St Hugo.

Sam is presenter at the Jacob's Creek Monday night dinner.