Multi-award-winning Australian winery, including 2023 Halliday Australian Winery of the Year, Pooley Wines, is celebrating a significant milestone birthday for its patriarch, John Pooley – his 80^th birthday on 25^th January.

John, as the current Managing Director, took over Pooley Wines with his wife Elizabeth, from his parents Denis and Margaret Pooley in 2010, who established the winery by planting seven rows of Pinot Noir and ten rows of Riesling on their 16-hectare farm at Cooinda Vale, Campania in 1985.

John’s daughter, Anna, now is the chief wine maker and son Matthew  who joined as the viticulturist in 1994, have joined forces with John and the extended family to continue the important work at Pooley Wines, in creating and maintaining a highly successful and decorated three-generation family winery.

For the last four decades, John and his family have poured their heart and soul in creating a suite of superb wines, from their award-winning Pinot Noir to the in-demand Margaret Pooley Tribute Riesling and have firmly cemented its place as creators of premium Australian wine.

John’s stellar career began with his passion and obsession with the automotive industry, owning a number of car franchises, which he took over from his father in 1990 until 2009.  From there, John transferred his focus to Pooley Wines, where, with his wife Libby, continued to grow and expand the winery and its offerings.  Today, Pooley Wines yields 130 tonnes of grapes across 24 hectares of low yielding quality vines.

For John, his mantra is to be passionate, be persistent and to strive for perfection.  And these have formed the foundation of his happiness and successes.

According to John, celebrating his 80^th birthday is a poignant occasion and a wonderful time for reflection in how Pooley Wines has grown and where it is today.

“My mother, Margaret, was simply a trailblazer in the 80’s, having started a winery with dad, at a time which should have been the prelude to their retirement years,” John said.

“In fact, my mother, at one stage, became the oldest vintner in Australia, continuing her work at Pooley Wines, and running the small cellar door, until the age of 94.

“It was only fitting that we created a beautiful Riesling in my mother’s honour and now with a two-merit classification, it has firmly become one of our flagship releases, alongside our Jack Denis Pooley Pinot Noir.

“I am also humbled that Anna, her husband Justin and my son Matthew, have created a JRD Syrah, from the original vines that I planted with Matthew in the 1990s.  It is simply a stunning drop.

“I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished at Pooley Wines.  It is a true family affair and am thrilled that our winery stands tall in the Australian wine landscape. 

“Infact, Pooley Wines had clear goals to be the number one winery in Tasmania and also hold a position in the top ten wineries Australia wide by 2025 and we have already achieved that by 2023.  We must continue to be aspirational, produce high quality wines and strive to achieve the best.

“Celebrating my 80^th birthday is certainly a magnificent time.  Being surrounded by my wife, children and grandchildren in this surreal landscape is a perfect way to revel the occasion.  At Pooley Wines, we continue to grow from strength to strength and am thrilled that I continue to play a role in its success.

“I am very excited on the future of Pooley Wines, with my wife, children, Anna and Matthew whole heartedly embracing Pooley Wines with vigour, passion and determination, as we set out to continue my parents’ legacies for future generations.”