i. Biography
Damon Koerner’s work sits in the overlap between vineyard and cellar, with the raw material carrying as much weight as the finished wine. In Clare Valley, Australia, and across Adelaide Hills, the focus stays on grapes, season, and place. The line he gives — “I am Damon Koerner and I grow grapes and make wine from the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills” — reads like a practical statement of method: the grower’s eye is still present in the winemaker’s decisions.
Coming Up
Study at University of Adelaide and Rostrevor College gave Koerner a base in both wine science and the realities of working land. That combination matters in vineyard-led winemaking, where handling fruit well depends on reading both technical data and seasonal conditions. For Damon Koerner, the early training supported a career built in stages, with each role adding another layer to how he works with vine, fruit, and wine. Since 2012, he has been winemaker and viticulturist of Black Bishop Wines, a role that keeps growing and making in the same frame. Since 2013, he has also served as Viticulture Manager of Infield Ag, extending the vineyard side of the work. And since 2014, he has been winemaker and director of Koerner Wine, Gullyview, Clare Valley, bringing production and leadership together in one operation.
Where They Are Now
At Koerner Wine in Clare Valley, Australia, Damon Koerner works with a straightforward brief: start with fruit quality, keep the winemaking transparent, and let site character remain visible. “I am passionate about producing great wine that reflects the place it is grown,” he says, which places restraint at the center of the process. The aim is not to overwrite the vineyard, but to present it clearly. That approach carries into the style he describes for Koerner wines: “textural, approachable, light, fresh and can be enjoyed young but will also benefit from aging.” It is a useful descriptor set for a working trade audience — wines built to be open on release, with enough shape to hold up over time.
Signature
Damon's signature wines include Grace Riesling and La Corse.
In Their Words “I focus on fruit quality and transparent winemaking and am passionate about producing great wine that reflects the place it is grown.” “Koerner wines are textural, approachable, light, fresh and can be enjoyed young but will also benefit from aging.”
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Damon
What is Damon Koerner's current role?
As of 2026, Damon Koerner is Winemaker and Director.
Where did Damon Koerner train or study?
Damon Koerner trained at University of Adelaide and Rostrevor college.
