William (Willy) Lunn - Chief Winemaker

Willy Lunn has more than 25 years’ extensive and intimate cool climate winemaking experience both in Australia and overseas and has been at Yering Station since July 2008. As Chief Winemaker, Willy’s role is overseeing all of the Yering Station family of wines including the highly regarded Yarrabank Sparkling project.

Willy grew up in a small farming community in rural South Australia and has always had a great affinity with the land. This has led him to develop a passion for regionality and making wines that are always the truest expression of place. 

His introduction to winemaking was straight out of high school, working at Petaluma under the watchful eye of Brian Croser.  Beginning as a cellar hand in 1984, he rapidly progressed to a senior winemaking position. His attention to detail and focus on quality during his 15 years at Petaluma forged the “no compromise for quality” philosophy that continues to guide him today.

Following his period at Petaluma, Willy spent two years as winemaker at Shaw and Smith winery in the Adelaide Hills where he honed his experience making award winning Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.  

A love of travel then led him around Australia and beyond, and in 1988 he landed at Argyle winery in the Willamette Valley (Oregon US.) where he joined friend and mentor, Rollin Soles.  Together, they started making cool climate sparkling wines that were later destined for the White House.  It was at Argyle in those early days that his love of cool climate viticulture and ultra premium winemaking came to fruition.  

Willy’s arrival at Yering Station has marked a new, exciting chapter for the winery and his commitment to encouraging a strong team spirit throughout the winery allows his passionate young team at Yering Station to thrive. Committed to dynamic, experimental and progressive winemaking, Willy is setting the bar very high and has already won numerous accolades and awards. 

John Evans - Head Viticulturalist 
 

At Yering Station, constant communication and interaction between the vineyard and the winery, ensures and acknowledges that the wines are a product of both environments. Head Viticulturalist John Evans grew up in Margaret River, beginning his career in the vineyards of Happs, Amberley and Cape Clairault in the upcoming Western Australian region, before moving to the Yarra Valley in Victoria. Prior to joining Yering Station in 1998, John worked for several Yarra Valley wineries including De Bortoli, Yarra Yarra and Yarra Ridge, where he played an integral in establishing the Racecourse Vineyard.