RINO D’ANGELO
HEAD WINEMAKER AT TORRENT WINES
“My hopes are that the wines I produce in our newly built winery will carry on my late Nonno and Nonna’s legacy and will be something that they will be proud of.”
When did you realise you wanted to become a winemaker?
Wine has always been a part of my home life growing up. I watched and helped my Nonno (grandfather) and father in the winery. When I was fifteen, I was taught the traditional Italian style of winemaking by the two generations before me and that’s where my passion began. I also helped my Nonna (grandmother) in the vineyard, she taught me some viticulture and how to nurture the vines, so my passion just grew and grew.
Please tell us about your career so far, including your education, work experience etc.
I watched and learnt my craft from my Nonno and father, I was very hands on in the winery and vineyard from a very young age. At sixteen, I got a work link program through school with Sittella Winery which further eventuated my passion, knowledge and experience of winemaking. In 2014 I took over from my father as the head winemaker at Torrent Wines and have since won multiple trophies and awards for our wines.
What do you love most about being a winemaker?
I’m a very hands-on person and there is nothing more hands on than winemaking. I love that no year is the same and the wine and viticulture changes so the challenge and the unknown outcome excites me and gets my creative juices flowing.
What is your favourite wine, and what food do you typically pair it with?
I would say a riesling, I love the high acidity and age ability. It’s one of my favourite varietals to pair with fresh oysters.
Is there a specific process you follow when developing a new wine?
Normally I like to get feedback from our sales representative to see the trends. Also, if I’ve tried and liked a certain wine whether it be national or international, I like to try and create a similar wine. I not only like to create wines I like, but wines that would be equally enjoyed by the public.
Is there any vintage you’re particularly proud of creating? Why?
You never forget your first vintage as head winemaker, my 2015 Speak Like An Italian Chenin Blanc. It also happened to be our most successful wine, winning multiple trophies and awards.
How does the local climate/soil affect the wine you make?
The Swan Valley climate has a strong effect on our winemaking due to being warm/ hot, so we need to be precise with the time of picking due to the risk of over ripe fruit which results in high alcohol wines and that is not our philosophy of winemaking.
Which of your own varieties do you typically indulge in?
My favourite is my chenin blanc because it’s such a versatile grape. I’m always able to pair it with a lot of Italian food that I eat.
Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you think your winemaking will evolve during this time?
Hopefully alongside my father and brother at our newly built winery making super premium wines.
How do you think your winemaking will evolve during this time?
Hopefully I will be experimenting with more Italian varieties. We have recently planted barbera, sangiovese and montepulciano. We will continue to grow the new varieties on our property and see what Torrent Wines can create and produce.
Any other comments?
My hopes are that the wines I produce in our newly built winery will carry on my late Nonno and Nonna’s legacy and will be something that they will be proud of.