Interview with Ian McKenzie [transcript] Interviewer: Rob Linn

Ian McKenzie was born in Corowa New South Wales on 1 December 1942. His grandparents arrived from Scotland in the 1900s and moved to the Riverland; planted 50 acres of vines at Loveday; his father took over the property in 1949; father and grandfather were shareholders in the Berri Coop Winery; in 1959 Ian started as a trainee winemaker at the Coop; went to Roseworthy 1961-1963 and there were only 10 students; very good tuition - Rex Kuchel, Bob Guy, Dr Basil Christie, Mick O'Halloran, Ken Leske; returned to Berri but resigned in 1967; went to Lubiana at Moorook for 6 months and then went to Berri; moved from bulk to bottled wine in 1972 and won numerous prizes; won Jimmy Watson in 1973; in 1976 put in charge of winemaking; in 1977 one of their reds won 32 gold medals; joined Seppelts in 1983 as chief winemaker and Area Manager for Victoria; development of Penfold Wine Group; development of overseas markets; huge modernisation under Southcorp

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