Interview with Don Ditter [sound recording] Interviewer: Rob Linn, Part 2 of 3

Don Ditter was born in Laura and lived in Greenock where his parents had the general store. They supplied the Seppelt family with their groceries. Don's first job was as a laboratory assistant at Penfolds at Magill in 1942 and John Farsch was his boss. He talks about the vintage process; from the 1940s to 1970s the whole area was surrounded by vineyards. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1945 and after the war he enrolled in Roseworthy College. There were only six students in a year and it was very strict. Dr Callahan was in charge, Rex Kuchel was the oenologist and Jock Williams the viticulturalist. Sammy Wynn was a regular visitor and he bought students' wines and sold them in Melbourne. Wynn's winery started in the Coonawarra in 1951. He went to Penfolds at Nuriootpa and worked under Ray Beckworth. He talks about Max Schubert and his impact on the industry. Don stayed at Nuriootpa for three years and then went to Sydney. He married in 1953. Production was equally divided between Sydney and Adelaide and he became Production Manager of NSW and in charge of five operations. Introduced a more scientific approach to the wineries. Talks about advances in technology, vineyard management and the good people in the various vineyards which led to improved wines. The major early products were Great Western and Minchinbury and the major change was from fortifieds to sparkling wines. In 1973 he was appointed National Production Manager/Chief Winemaker which he retained until his retirement in 1986. John Duval took over. In the 1980s Penfolds took over Tollana, Wynns, Seaview, Tulloch and Killawarra but all retained their individual identities. Talks about the various wines made by Penfolds. Thirty years ago 2.5 million litres were exported, now it is 360 million litres, more is sold overseas than domestically

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