Healthy Minds Healthy Vines: Recent Episodes
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Welcome to Healthy Minds, Healthy Vines the wellbeing podcast made by growers for growers. Every episode is a down to earth chat with growers and winemakers from all around the regions of South Australia. Hosted by journalist and award-winning mental health podcaster, Callum MacPherson and Nick Ryan, Australia’s best wine judge when sold by the kilo.
Nigel Blieschke and Tom Bartholomaeus are the viticulturalists behind Torbreck’s towering presence in the Australian wine industry, responsible for making the most of some of the oldest grape vines in the world.
The responsibility of custodianship over such special vineyards isn’t lost on Nigel, who’s knowledge and respect for nature was passed down from his grandfather, growing up in the Flinders Ranges. Tom is a sixth generation Barossa grower known for his soft pruning methods that he learned in Italy.
Having developed his craft over decades, starting in the booming 90’s, today Nigel and Tom work from the ground up to ensure things are looked after for the future ahead, while producing fruit in the here and now that’s better than ever.
Here's Tom and Nigel…
Sneak preview of Nigel and Tom's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council ofSouth Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Sheridan Alm is at the helm of the Riverland’s ‘Starrs Reach Vineyard’, and recently took out ‘Innovative Vineyard of the Year’ at the Young Gun of Wine awards. Sheridan’s family history in the region stretches back six generations, with she and husband Craig now carrying thetorch into unknown territory.
As a mum of 5, Sheridan’s always on the go, and if she’s not careful, can run out of time and energy to look after herself when parenting and wine come first. As her latest award suggests, they pride themselves on doing things differently at Starrs Reach, with a focus on alternative varieties and sustainability setting them up for success.
Here’s Sheridan…
Sneak preview of Sheridan's upcoming episode on HealthyMinds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers. Proudlybrought to you by the Wine Grape Council ofSouth Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Steve Schiller is a two-time state pruning champion, and the man behind Tractor Tread Vineyards in the Barossa. Joining him on this episode is the vivacious Rebecca Weatherill, a Coober Pedy girl with an affinity for the wine industry, Rebecca had a change of life direction after enduring a number of devastating events, leading her to start her resilience-based business, ‘Workplace Wellbeing SA’.
Rebecca recently pioneered a series of wellbeing workshops for Barossa growers, bringing mental and physical health management to the forefront. Steve was one of many growers who participated in the workshops and is an advocate for speaking up when times are tough, despite the discomfort.
Here’s Rebecca and Steve…
Sneak preview of Steve and Rebecca's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
On a mission to express the best the Adelaide Hills has to offer, Simon Tolley was in the army, before trying his hand at viticulture and starting his own brand, ‘Simon Tolley Wines’.
Taking inspiration from his father Andrew, Simon’s modus operandi is producing small matches of high-quality wines and striving to improve each season.
Simon’s business was one of many to be burnt by the Cuddlee Creek bushfire. A blaze he fought himself with hose in hand, attempting to stop it destroying his property. Flames ripped through 25,000 hectares devastating the Adelaide Hills, with the effects still being felt today. Determined to find a silver-lining, Simon’s managed to use smoke-tainted fruit to create uniquely sellable products.
He’s also raised a family in the Hills where he’s lived for decades and can often be spotted cruising the curves in his restored 1965 Morris mini-van.
Here’s Simon Tolley...
Sneak preview of Simon Tolley's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council ofSouth Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Kerri Thompson and Marnie Roberts are two firecrackers with an enduring love for shaking up the Clare Valley’s wine offering and going their own way.
KT couldn’t have known less about making wine when her journey in the industry started all those years ago, in fact she needed a fake I.D just to do her first tastings at uni! Little did she know the fruitful career that was in store…
Marnie is the winemaker, owner, creative director and business manager of ‘Matriach & Rogue’, and shockingly, does experience feeling over worked at times… She’s all about working with growers to create something exceptional and different; and she does it all while being a mum; just like her mate Kerri!
Here’s KT and Marnie…
Sneak preview of KT and Marnie's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Succession isn’t sexy; no one likes thinking about death and what will happen after they’re gone, but as Mellor Olsson lawyers Matt Dorman and Callen Bubner say, burying your head in the sand doesn’t change the reality we all must face one day; and one thing you can do is be prepared…
Matt and Callen spend the bulk of their time helping agribusiness families craft and implement succession and estate plans, laying a solid foundation for the future everyone can rely on when the time comes.
This conversation will give you the nuts and bolts of how it all works, and answers the sort of questions you might have in the back of your mind from time to time.
Here’s Matt & Callen…
Sneak preview from our Succession Law Episode with Matt Dorman & Callen Bubner on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Richard Leask is an authority on regenerative farming for growers in South Australia and comes with a wealth of experience, that includes taking on the Nuffield Scholarship, which saw him travel the world in search of sustainable approaches to bring back to home soil.
He’s as knowledgeable as he is passionate about protecting the land for future generations, and his own vineyard is a breeding ground ripe for putting new ideas in practice. Richard and his brother Malcolm, have been growing their own label ‘Hither & Yon’ for the past decade, putting their best foot forward to adapt to the changing climate for more sustainable vines and better wines.
Sneak peek of Richard Leask's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers. Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Anita Goode is Wangolina through and through, and the first of her family to branch out and make wine on the land of Wangolina Station, since the Goode’s first arrived more than 100 years ago.Part of the greater Limestone Coast region, Mount Benson is a unique coastal location around 300Ks from Adelaide, halfway between Kingston and Robe in the south-east. A moderate maritime climate provides the biggest drawcard from a viticultural point of view. As Anita will tell you, it gets bloody windy! But all that cold air plays an essential role in helping Wangolina wines stand out from the crowd; much like their creator, who comes equipped with purple hair and attitude you can see a mile away.Here's Anita…
Sneak preview of Anita Goode's upcoming episode on Healthy Minds Healthy Vines, the well being podcast for growers.
Proudly brought to you by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, sponsored by PIRSA.
Ash Ratcliffe is a character who's not afraid to rattle a few cages... He and wife Holly ambitiously set out to shake things up in the Riverland by going their own way and growing grape varieties others wouldn't have dreamed of planting in the area.
Since launching Ricca Terra, Ash has proven the doubters wrong, being named Viticulturist of the Year and Riverland Winemaker of the Year. He also had the majority of his crop wiped out by a hailstorm in late 2021 and while Ricca Terra has had to dig deep to recover, the team has still managed to make headway in its quest to diversify the region's image and have fun doing it.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
We all get bogged sometimes, it's nothing to be ashamed of and getting a hand up when you need it can go a long way. Are you bogged mate? is all about helping country blokes talk about mental health and suicide while spreading awareness about depression in the bush.
Depression in the bush is a lot like getting bogged in the mud. It might have been just a sticky patch of the road or paddock where the vehicle stopped moving, maybe you needed low range or to winch yourself out. But what happens when you get properly bogged? Founder, Mary O'Brien was raised on the land and after spending her whole life working in rural and remote Australia, she knows country blokes. She’s worked with them, for them and beside them and mostly importantly she knows how to talk to them. Country blokes are facing challenges like never before but it doesn’t mean you need to get stuck in the mud. There are plenty places to go to get a tow and it takes guts to admit you’re bogged. Mary's on a mission to make sure you and your mates are connected with the right hands to pull you out.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Working on the farm is hard enough on its own without having to really think about the business side of things, but neglecting your finances can get you into strife down the road. There's a lot to keep in check and it's hard know how to prepare for challenges no one can predict... Fire, flood, frost, hail and drought are just some of the hazards growers have to grapple with and it only takes one major event to throw everything off track. But there are steps you can take to be as ready as you can be for tough times and you don't have to go it alone.
Brett Smith is CEO of Rural Business Support, a service for farmers and rural communities across SA with a focus on developing better business practices, financial literacy and growing confidence. Brett says RBS isn't there to be a last resort, it's the first port of call to get yourself set up for the future. Growing Through the Generations with Brad Case and Nicole Clark
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Working on the farm is hard enough on its own without having to really think about the business side of things, but neglecting your finances can get you into strife down the road. There's a lot to keep in check and it's hard know how to prepare for challenges no one can predict... Fire, flood, frost, hail and drought are just some of the hazards growers have to grapple with and it only takes one major event to throw everything off track. But there are steps you can take to be as ready as you can be for tough times and you don't have to go it alone. Brett Smith is CEO of Rural Business Support, a service for farmers and rural communities across SA with a focus on developing better business practices, financial literacy and growing confidence. Brett says RBS isn't there to be a last resort, it's the first port of call to get yourself set up for the future.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Brett Smith & Ashley Keegan have a lot to talk about! Join us for the full episode this Monday.
Adrian Hoffman is a born and bred Barossa native and fifth generation grape grower who's lived all his life on his family property. Dating all the way back to 1857, the Hoffmann family have been mixed farming the land, planting their first vines in the 1880's and moving into commerical grape growing. Having grown up in the 70's and 80's, witnessing a difficult period for Barossa growers, Adrian planned on becoming an engineer like his father Jeff, until the region's golden era struck and Barossa wine well and truly took off. Since taking over in the 90's, Adrian's always been driven to expand the family's holding, which has grown to over 100 hectares during his tenure, boasting some of the oldest vines in the state. Adrian grew up learning the tricks of the trade from his grandpa Gordon and has gone on to add a wealth of his own knowledge to the Hoffman recipe for success, embracing new tools and technology along the way. If you're looking to hear from someone who truly knows and loves the local industry, you can't go past Adrian.
Dimchurch Vineyards: https://dimchurch.com/
Chair of the Wine Grape Council SA (Barossa Region): https://www.wgcsa.com.au/adrian-hoffmann.html
Podcast produced at podbooth.com.au
Adrian Hoffman has a lot to say. Here's a sneak peek. Subscribe for the full episode, it drops this Monday.
Trudie Stanley grew up on a farm in the Mid North and has spent the bulk of her career working in landcare and natural resource management in regional communities, including 15 years working in the Northern and Yorke region based at Clare. These days Trudie's in Adelaide, heading up PIRSA’s Recovery and Resilience team as the Family and Business Support Coordinator.
The Family and Business (FaB) Mentor service is available to those running regional businesses across the state. They exist to support primary producers and act as a first port of call when things get tough. FaB mentors can connect you to financial counselling, local health networks, wellbeing services, government and non-government assistance and community organisations.
It's a free, confidential service provided by other regional workers who understand where you're coming from and it's there so you don't have to go it alone.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Lachy Allen is a second generation vigneron and a family owner of Barrister's Block Premium Wines. Lachy grew up on a farm in Naracoorte and went on to work for a decade in grain management before joining the family business in 2020. The Cuddlee Creek bushfire destroyed just about all of the crop at the family's Woodside vineyards when it tore through the Adelaide Hills in December 2019. In the wake of that devastating event, Lachy stepped up and has helped see the business through some of its toughest years, all while becoming a first time father. The crew at Barrister's Block pride themselves on their family spirit and they've needed plenty of it.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Join us for the full Lachlan Allen episode on October 31st. Until then, enjoy a sneak preview.
Dr Ian Zajac is a Senior Research Scientist at the CSIRO and Director of MensPsych Psychology Services in Adelaide, where he works as a Clinical Psychologist. Ian specialises in men’s mental health and has a unique insight to offer as a clinician, a researcher and someone with his own lived experience. Nine Aussies die by suicide every day and seven of them are blokes. Men have typically been known not to speak up about their mental health and to be reluctant when it comes to asking for help. It's a problem that's finally starting to change and you can be part of the solution.
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Join us for the full Dr Ian Zajac episode October 24th. Until then, enjoy this special preview.
Ash Keegan is CEO of Food and Beverage Australia Limited (FABAL) and with 1600 hectares of vineyards to oversee across 20 sites nationwide, you better believe he gets his steps in. After making his bones as a chiropractor, Ash unexpectedly found himself in viticulture and soon fell in the love with the industry, helping to develop Bantry Bay Vineyard Estate in Margaret River before moving to SA to join FABAL. Ash is big on putting personal health and the health of his staff first. He's had a run in with skin cancer, dealt with a case of Q Fever on the farm and he's serious about safe chemical handling.
https://www.fabal.com.au/
https://www.agw.org.au/
Podcast produced at PodBooth
Tom Keelan has been in the grape game for more than two decades, but if you ask him, he'll tell ya, he's just getting started. Tom began as a grower, before a burning desire to take on the industry giants and fight for the little guys, saw he and wife, Rebecca Willson, launch their own wine label, The Pawn Wine Co. The Pawn is known for its handcrafted, small batch wines that proudly represent the ground they come from; the Adelaide Hills and Langhorne Creek. Tom's all about growers and smaller winemakers lending a hand to support each other and he's big on creating opportunities for blokes to connect in the local community. They say, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." The Pawn Wine Co https://thepawn.com.au/
Podcast produced at PodBooth