Robert Mann joined Cape Mentelle as Senior Winemaker in December 2005. Born into an appreciation of wine, Robert is the grandson of Jack Mann MBE – a legendary innovator and character of the Australian wine industry. He shares his love of the game of cricket, foraging for wild mushrooms and belief that “cabernet sauvignon is the only variety that would be tolerated in heaven”.

He gained early experience in the wine industry working in the vineyards and as a cellar hand in the Swan Valley, Barossa Valley and Margaret River. Robert completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, majoring in Oenology at the University of Adelaide and has crafted wines at various wineries around Australia, Italy and California.

Robert heads up the winemaking team and is responsible for the ongoing development of the Cape Mentelle wine portfolio, ensuring it continues to be at the leading edge of quality and style.

He works very closely with the Cape Mentelle Viticulturist, Ashley Wood and Winemakers Evan Thompson and Paul Callaghan, to ensure the continued excellence of Cape Mentelle wines.

Ashley Wood was born and raised in Western Australia, growing up in the Swan Valley and the Perth foothills. He is passionate about the region and in particular the Margaret River terroir. Ash firmly believes that the superb quality of the fruit grown in Margaret River is a unique reflection of this.

Ashley travelled extensively overseas and during this time visits to Bordeaux and Alsace fuelled an interest in grape growing. On his return home he enrolled to study for a Bachelor of Viticulture at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales. Ash then spent 12 years working in vineyards in Margaret River before joining the team at Cape Mentelle just in time for the 2007 harvest.

When he is not in the vineyards Ash is most likely to be found indulging his other passion - the ocean. A very strong swimmer Ash has competed in the West Australian Rottnest Island swim several times. He also recently completed his day skipper’s ticket sailing around the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The team at Cape Mentelle are hoping for an invitation to go sailing with him around their spectacular southern coast soon!