Winemaker
Richard Mattner
Pepperjack winemaker
Born and bred in the Barossa Valley, Richard Mattner grew up at Light Pass, a small hamlet just a valley away from the Saltram winery site. Richard attended school at Tanunda Primary in the heart of the Barossa, followed by the local Nuriootpa High School. Needless to say Richard has had the Barossa pumping through his veins all of his life.
Growing up in the Barossa Valley, Richard was never far from wine. His grandfather's vineyard at the highly-regarded Light Pass district was Richard's playground during the school holidays. He would help by picking grapes and riding in the old Bedford truck to the winery, any chance he could get. Upon leaving school, Richard gained employment as a cellar hand and began a career in the wine industry in 1993. Richard was destined and in 2004 he graduated from Charles Sturt University with Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science). Richard expanded his knowledge further and was privileged to work alongside some of Australia's well-renowned red winemakers, as well as working as a winemaker for a vintage in the Napa Valley. In 2007, he commenced as winemaker for Pepperjack.
Richard has a great passion for red wine, in particular Barossa Shiraz, as well as Shiraz from other premium wine growing areas of South Australia, including Langhorne Creek & McLaren Vale.
Richard says winemaking is an art and just another way of creatively expressing himself.
"It's just something that I love to do". In addition for his passion for red wine, Richard has a keen interest in all things sports and loves nothing more than to relax with friends and enjoy a char-grilled scotch fillet on the barbeque perfectly matched with a bottle of Pepperjack, of course.
Richard continues to reside in the Barossa with his wife and their two children.