Fiona Donald has more than 30 years’ experience in the wine industry. She was a high-achieving graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology, awarded the KT Hardy Memorial Scholarship for Performance and receiving the silver medal for second aggregate at the time of graduation.
Donald went on to work for Thomas Hardy and Sons (Tintara Winery), Barossa Valley Estate, Penfolds and Hardy’s Wines before joining Seppeltsfield in 2009. She was central to the winemaking resurrection of the 1888 Gravity Cellar, and today leads the Seppeltsfield winemaking team as chief winemaker.
In 2012 Donald was awarded Barossa Winemaker of the Year by the wine fraternity Barons of Barossa, followed by induction as a Baron of Barossa in 2016. She has been a member of the Royal Adelaide Wine Show committee since 2015 and is a Lens Evans Tutorial Scholar.
Donald has also served as panel chair at the Hunter Wine Show, chairman of the Riverland Wine Show, and a judge at the Alternative Varieties Wine Show and Barossa Wine Show. She will celebrate her 14th Seppeltsfield vintage this year.
