The People Behind Fraser Gallop Estate

From our inception we have been fortunate to attract exceptional people who share the same values and drive.

Nigel Gallop Vigneron

I am absolutely committed to the future of Fraser Gallop Estate as a producer of wines , not only of great quality, but also that are individual to us and to our terroir.

From the beginning everything possible has been done to ensure that outcome. From the selection of the property, through the recruitment of the best people and enormous attention to detail we maintain that commitment . We do things the correct way - never the easy way.

Our focus is primarily on Cabernet and Chardonnay. These are the varieties that we believe are best suited to our environment. They are also my personal favourites.

Over the years I have been involved in many business enterprises. All of that experience is of course useful at Fraser Gallop Estate but is not enough. What is needed is passion.

I am passionate about Fraser Gallop Estate and our wines. This passion will result in many great wines over many years . I can hardly wait!

Clive Otto Winemaker

Clive was born in Tanzania. He grew up and was educated in Auckland, New Zealand.

A vintage holiday job at the Matawhero winery in Gisborne led to postgraduate winemaking studies at Roseworthy, where Clive completed a graduate diploma in oenology in 1989 and, thus, entered the world of winemaking.

Fortunately for Margaret River, it was the lure of the surf that bought him to the West. In 1989 he started a winemaking career at Vasse Felix, spending 16 years producing outstanding wines and developing the premium Heytesbury style.

“Having a horticultural background and being a winemaker is an enormous advantage,” he says. “Making good wines starts in the vineyard and making premium wine is only possible if the grapes are of the highest quality.”

By the time Clive joined Fraser Gallop Estate in July 2006, he had amassed 134 Gold Medals, 160 Silver Medals, 302 Bronze Medals and 70 Trophies at local, national and international events. In 2005 he was the Winestate Magazine's Australian Winemaker of the Year.

"The Fraser Gallop Estate winery was completed in time for the 2008 vintage and I believe it is probably one of the best equipped small wineries in WA. It is a joy to work in and very efficient, also very hands on but this is what I love doing - getting my hands into the wine and checking every barrel!"

Kate Morgan Assistant Winemaker

Born and bred in Perth, it was summer holidays in the South West with her family that provided the catalyst for Kate’s entry into the wine industry.

After studying winemaking and viticulture at Curtin University she spent the next few years working vintages and exploring wine regions both within Australia and overseas, working at premium producers such as Coriole, Tamar Ridge, Coldstream Hills and Archery Summit. It was, however always her plan to return to Western Australia to live and make wine in one of the world’s best wine producing regions, Margaret River. After spending time locally at Houghtons and Stella Bella, Kate took up the Assistant Winemaker position at Fraser Gallop Estate in January 2008, just in time for the inaugural vintage in the new winery. She is an essential member of the Fraser Gallop Estate team with great skills in sensory evaluation of the wines, laboratory, cellar and organising social events.

The coming vintage is particularly exciting for her and Senior Winemaker, Clive Otto as they get to indulge in their love of wooded Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends and be a little bit adventurous with what will be the newest addition to the Fraser Gallop Estate portfolio.

Paul Pavlinovich Vineyard Manager

Paul is dedicated to the ongoing management of the Fraser Gallop Estate vineyard in a way which leads to the production of fruit of great quality.

Without the use of irrigation Paul has managed the vineyard from inception with unrelenting commitment to the health of the vines. His care and attention to detail have given us a disease free vineyard producing fruit which truly reflects the vintage conditions each year.

As the vines mature Paul's influence becomes even more apparent. The best is yet to come.