Bago’s Long-time Winemaker Retires

Greg Hayward, Bago’s Winemaker for 18 years is hanging up his gumboots.

Greg first came to Bago in the late 1990’s as a Cooper (barrel maker) using our back shed as a base for his cooperage. Having already developed experience as cellar hand at other wineries he soon transitioned to working in Bago’s. He started off our first winemaking here in 2000 but then accepted a position in the Hunter Valley as cellar master at Hope Estate Wines where he stayed for a few years. He then returned to Bago to become our winemaker in 2004 and has been with us ever since.

Over the years Greg has developed the style of our wines to suit our unique climate. Greg mastered the art of producing great wines from not always great fruit. The techniques he implemented set the benchmark for winemaking in our region and will be Greg’s legacy for decades to come.

He often said a winemaker is a glorified cleaner. True or not Greg kept the winery in a pristine and sterile condition and showed great care in nurturing the wines he produced.  

Always happy to put in the extra effort when needed at vintage and early morning bottling, Greg’s practical experience and friendship over 20 + years will be missed.

We wish him all the best in his retirement and happy travels with his lovely wife Julie.