OUR WINEMAKER

 

Having grown up in the Canberra District, Alex received his first taste of winemaking under the mentorship of Edgar Riek, a pioneer who established one of the region’s earliest vineyards at Lake George in 1971. 

Riek’s “attention to detail, precision and deep understanding of biology and ecology” left a lasting impression. His intuitive grasp of seasons and habitats inspired Alex’s own approach — that great wine is born of observation, patience and respect for site. 

Alex went on to study Oenology at the University of Adelaide, graduating dux in 1998. During his studies, he completed an honours thesis on extended maceration of red wine and co-authored Italian Winegrape Varieties in Australia (Winetitles, 1999) alongside Garry Crittenden and viticulturalists Dr Peter Dry and Dr Jim Hardie.

He then worked vintages at Brokenwood (Hunter Valley), Crittenden Estate (Mornington Peninsula), Littorai (Sonoma Coast) and Ceretto (Barolo).

In 2000, Alex returned home to become winemaker for Hardy’s newly established Kamberra winery, tracking vineyard parcels across Canberra, Hilltops, Gundagai and Tumbarumba. Immersed in the region’s expanding vineyard landscape, he developed a deep understanding of its soils, climate and diverse sites. When the Hardy Wine Company withdrew in 2006, Alex chose to remain — excited to be part of what wine writer Chris Shanahan then described as “a unique legacy… The best Shirazes made there by Alex McKay are world class; the viogniers are up there with the best in Australia; and the Rieslings are within sight of the classics from the Clare and Eden Valleys.”

Basing himself near Collector at Edgar Riek’s former Cullarin vineyard on the shores of Lake George, Alex released the Marked Tree Red Shiraz under our classic label — and Collector Wines was born. 

Alex's winemaking focus is considered and precise, with an emphasis on structure, texture and longevity. Techniques including oxidative handling of juice and careful management of phenolics sit alongside traditional practices influenced by Alex’s time working in Piedmont, producing wines that can be enjoyed over decades.

Of Alex, James Halliday has written:

“He is not known to speak much… so you have to remain alert to appreciate his unparalleled sense of humour. No such attention is needed for his wines, which are consistently excellent, their elegance appropriate for their maker.”