PODCAST
S3- E06 | Thirty Years in the Vines and Still Growing with Liz Riley
Hunter Valley, NSWLiz Riley is a true pillar of Australian viticulture, with more than 30 years working across vineyard management, biosecurity, sustainability, and industry leadership.
Based in the Hunter Valley, Liz runs her own consultancy through Vitibit, helping growers build healthier, more resilient vineyards. She also manages her family’s vineyards at Scarborough Wine Co, and plays a vital role in education through her teaching at Tocal College, passing on her skills and knowledge to the next generation of viticulturists. Respected for her practical wisdom and big-picture thinking, Liz is as comfortable talking about soil microbes as she is about the future of the wine community. Here’s Liz… Read more...Liz Riley
Viticulturist + Connector + Leader Website: Vitbit Articles: https://www.australianwine.com/en-AU/experience/our-makers/liz-riley/ https://winetitles.com.au/liz-riley-awarded-2023-outstanding-contribution-by-individual-award-at-hunter-valley-legends-awards/ Viticulturist Liz Riley began her wine journey as city kid from Perth, who studied at Roseworthy before commencing her career in the early ‘90’s in the Barossa with Southcorp. This was just as the industry embarked on the boom times, and it was a pretty amazing ride – lots of learning, meeting people and the opportunity to see vineyards across the country. Roseworthy wasn’t just a place of learning; she met her husband Jerome Scarborough while there and the two of them moved to Hunter in the late ‘90’s.
After starting a family in 2000 Liz became an independent consultant based in the Hunter. She is eternally grateful that she began her career in SA as the friends and professional networks she established in that time have been key to her success in the Hunter, and in her retaining her sanity when times have been difficult. She has been known to “phone a friend” on more than one occasion to seek advice, counsel or to just have a vent. In the last few years, she has pulled back from consulting full time to develop and deliver industry technical training and to pursue board roles, including serving on the board of Wine Australia. Liz also works with her husband Jerome to support the Scarborough family vineyards. Liz has been actively involved with industry bodies throughout her career including the ASVO, NSW Wine Industry Association and the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. One of the groups which she treasure’s being part of is Viticulture Australia which is an online (Instagram) community who aims to connect and support Australia’s vineyard and viticulture community, who often work alone and can feel isolated. VA support this group with their social media presence, merch, scholarships for key industry events, and networking. Liz’s desert island grape varieties are Riesling and Grenache. |
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