PATIENCE  PERSISTENCE  PASSION

                           Chris Cormack , the founder of PEGERIC , developed his interest in wine while working weekends at his father's wine and spirit store , which was established in Melbourne in 1958. After leaving school , he began work in the store , which was one of the first to introduce new , small boutique wineries to Mellbourne . Today, many of these wineries such as Bowen Estate , Brand's Laira , Coriole , Knappstein's Enterprise , Leconfield , Mitchell Clare Valley and Rosemount Estate are Australian Icons.

                         As Chris' involvement developed , his interest turned to the production side and so he enrolled in the Viticulture course at Riverina College of Advanced Education  ( now Charles Sturt University ) at Wagga Wagga , NSW. After studying and also working as the trainee viticulturalist  in the college vineyard , he completed his studies in 1982 and became only the second person to graduate from the Applied Science Viticulture  course .

                        In the early 1980's  , there was little interest in viticulture in Australia and it was even difficult to convince people to use foilage wires in a vineyard , let alone plant vines in a cool climate ! During this course , Chris was allowed to study advanced plant physiology as a special subject  which was not normally part of the viticulture course . This extra knowledge , combined with a R.C.A.E.  Wine Technical Tour of Europe in 1983 , encouraged  him to embark on some practices that were not common in Australia at that time . These included close planting vines on good rich soil , vertical shoot positioning , the use of straw mulch , and no irrigation .

                        Despite the many negative attitudes to these ideas , he was encouraged by the teachings of his viticultural mentor , Dr MAX LODER , the senior viticulture lecturer at Charles Sturt University. Dr Loder was the first person to actively promote the planting of Pinot Gris in Australia , and is known as the " FATHER  OF PINOT GRIS " in Australia.  Dr Loder emphasised to his students to be adaptable and to always look for the " limiting factor " in any situation . This information proved invaluable , as events in both nature and life are often variable .

                        In 1986 , Chris spent 11 months travelling the world with then Petaluma vineyard manager, Alan Dean .  The tour involved working and studying in many wine regions in both Europe and the United States . It even included a stint in Jon Leighton's pioneering English vineyard at Stanlake Park , near Twyford  , which was  a catalyst for the resurgence of quality wine production in England and was really "cool climate " viticulture !!

                       After returning to Australia , Chris consulted in some vineyard reconstruction in the Yarra Valley , as well as working in many other regions.  In 1987 , after months of searching ,  he selected a site for the establishement of his own vineyard in the Macedon Ranges  about 85 km north of Melbourne . This was a  region that he considered having the best potential in Australia to produce iconic cool climate wine . The  block  of land had not been used previously for viticulture and was isolated from most of the vineyards  in the area .  It was also one of the highest and coolest sites in the Macedon Ranges suitable for viticulture.

                      The land was allowed to rest and lie fallow for a few years to allow the natural organisms to regenerate and was then planted in 1991. The vines were not rushed into production and  the first commercial crop was harvested in 1997. It produced a single 228 litre barrique of Pinot Noir which was made utilising the great skills of Llew Knight and Ian Gunter of the renowned winery GRANITE HILLS .  This wine was released  after extended ageing in May 2003 , the culmination of 20 years of viticultural endeavour. Pinot Noir was the original variety selected , but in 2004 a small block of Riesling , the worlds finest grape variety , was planted with high hopes for the future . This block was also dry grown and close planted .

 

    " THE FLYING VITICULTURALIST "

                    There are many " Flying Winemakers " but not too many people can claim to be a genuine  " Flying Viticulturalist " !  Since late 2004 , Chris has been working as a Flight Attendant with QANTAS . He was also involved as a team member, in the initial course design , development and training of the QANTAS Sommeliers In The Sky program  .  Sommeliers In The Sky is committed to showcasing  great Australian wines and offering premium wine service and knowledge to QANTAS customers. More details can be found on the QANTAS website - www.qantas.com.au