Nigel Dolan, the second-generation senior red winemaker at Saltram, has been named the Barossa Valley’s Winemaker of the Year. Actually a genuine native of Mamre Brook House, which appears on several Saltram labels, Dolan thoroughly deserves this honour bestowed by the Barons of the Barossa, a colourful and indulgent group of Barossa wine identities, especially for several excellent recent vintages of Saltram No. 1 and Mamre Brook reds. Despite his comparative youth, (writes your 38 year-old correspondent) Dolan, who has been senior winemaker at Saltram since 1992, is about to embark on his 21st consecutive vintage in the Barossa. His late father Bryan was senior winemaker from 1949-1960 and then general manager of the Saltram Wine group from 1960-1979. From vintage 2000 Dolan jnr has taken on a more senior role for Mildara Blass as Senior Red Winemaker for South Australian Central wine regions (Clare, Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale) while retaining full control over the style and quality of the Saltram wines.
