Mr Greg Clack
About Me
Greg Clack, now 41 years young spent a large amount of his childhood growing up (or just getting older more accurately) in the Adelaide Hills. Greg has always had an interest and passion for wine ever since visiting cellar doors and wineries with his parents as a youngster, this together with his love of food led to the beginning of his career.
Greg studied at Adelaide University under the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science majoring in Oenology (Winemaking) and graduated in the middle of 2003.
While studying Greg started his career at Koppamurra Wines, a small boutique winery nestled in the Adelaide Hills, he worked closely with the winemaker, John Greensheilds in all aspects of the winemaking process mainly producing Full bodied limestone coast Reds, along with an Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and Eden Valley Riesling.
In 2003 Greg started work at Haselgrove Wines while finishing his studies under Winemaker Adrian Lockhart (Young Winemaker of the Year – 2001), Whilst at Haselgrove Greg honed his skills on the vast array of varieties and styles that were produced at the winery from working closely with many Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale contract winemakers.
In 2005 Greg started working closely with ex Chain of Ponds Winemaker Neville Falkenberg as a contract liaison while working at Haselgrove Wines. With such an experienced mentor Greg quickly became enlightened to the secrets of producing elegant and world class cool climate wines.
In 2007 Neville moved on to greener pastures leaving the gate open for Greg to step up and continue Neville’s hard work with Chain of Ponds in producing world class wines.
In his short career Greg has earned the respect of his peers for his hard work and attention to quality. This is reinforced by his nomination and standing as a finalist for Australian Young Winemaker of the year in 2008.
In 2014 Greg joined Chain of Ponds full time in a role involving most aspects of the business. In the last three years the brand has seen a complete overhaul with new branding and a fresh spin on the brand.
In 2017 Greg started a side brand with his partner Kate Horstmann called XO Wines which has allowed him to reconnect with some of his McLaren Vale ties while also staying firmly focused on the Adelaide Hills.
A vintage stint in Burgundy in 2018 and in depth study tour of France and Northern Italy has injected more energy and focus and Greg is looking forward to continuing the quality and styles that Chain of Ponds is renowned for while putting a youthful spin on things!
Since 2007 Greg has served on both the McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills Wine Show committee, while chairing the Adelaide Hills Wine Show committee from 2017-2020. Greg has recently joined the executive committee for the Adelaide Hills Wine region fortifying his commitment to the region and the wines it produces.
From 2019, Greg started forging his way onto the Judging circuit having been on the committee side for so long. With Associate stints in the Barossa and Clare and Judging stints at the Royal Adelaide, Sydney Royal and McLaren Vale Wine Shows Greg looks forward to helping drive the industry into the future and be an integral part of the Wine Show circuit.
