Our Winemaker
Scott Zrna was born in Mildura and grew up in the modern regional city which stands on the Victorian side of the Murray River, 540km from Melbourne. His family has had a long association with viticulture and Scott spent many seasons reluctantly helping harvest the fruit.
When Scott finished high school and pursued a Bachelor of Science at Flinders University in South Australia. In 1992 he completed his degree, but he still didn’t really know what he wanted to do with the next stage of his life.
Scott returned to Mildura to contemplate his future and while doing so worked a vintage with Mildara Blass. It was during this time that his love for wine blossomed as he thoroughly enjoyed the work. At the end of vintage Scott enthusiastically took up the permanent position offered, enabling him to learn the ropes from an experienced crew. Over a short period Scott rapidly expanded his wine knowledge and gave him a hunger to learn more.
Senior Winemaker, Alan Harris, encouraged Scott to study winemaking, he enrolled in the Charles Sturt University’s Wine Science course. Studying by distance enabled Scott to work in the industry as well as study which allowed him to combine theoretical knowledge with practical application. Scott completed his study in 2002.
Scott spent five vintages at Mildura Blass, departing in 1997 to work as assistant winemaker at McWilliams Wines in Yenda. Under the guidance of Winemaker, Russell Cody, Scott learnt the intricisies of red winemaking. After three vintages with Russell, Scott changed his colours and became the White Winemaker under the watchful eye of Jim Brayne, before advancing to Senior White Winemaker, a position which he held for another three years.
Scott, needed a sea change and spent the 2004 vintage in Padthaway before settling into his current role as Senior Winemaker at Fox Creek Wines. Since late 2004 Scott has been set the challenge of using both his red and white winemaking experience and creativity to produce top quality wines.
