Johann, winemaker & his wife Angela, Henschke ambassadorJohann is a sixth-generation member of the Henschke family, the eldest of Stephen and Prues three children. Johann graduated as a winemaker from the University of Adelaide in 2005, then gained extensive experience in his field throughout the winemaking world. His travels have taken him to Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River, Australia (2005), Felton Road in Central Otago, New Zealand (2006), Isole e Olena in Tuscany, Italy (2006), and Arietta in the Napa Valley, USA (2007).In 2012 Johann completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology in Geisenheim in Germany, a year of which was spent studying there, a year in Montpellier in France and six months in Madrid in Spain.It was in Spain where he met his now wife, Angela, who also comes from a family of long and significant winemaking tradition in Ribera del Duero, Torremilanos. Angela pursued her own career however, and went on to become a Dentist, based in Madrid. After Angela and Johann met, in 2013 the couple decided to move to Australia. Although she remains in the pursuit of a return to her Dental profession, she draws upon her inherent wine knowledge to assist the Henschke family through her work as an ambassador for Henschke.Johann is now based in South Australia at the family winery, working as winemaker and viticulturist, as the fifth and sixth-generations transition through this important period of the transfer of knowledge, skills, and traditions.With many of the challenges for the next generation already well-documented, Johann expects that innovation and careful strategic planning will be crucial tools for him and his peers to utilise. Above all, continuing on the traditional winemaking techniques which the Henschke family have used for generations, and ensuring that the Henschke continues to be nurtured in the same prudent way that it has always been, will allow it to be passed on to successive generations and to be held in the same high regard as it is today.
