Winemaker
David Bicknell
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Yarra Valley, Australia
i. Biography
Coming Up
At Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley, chief winemaking from 2002 to 2026 was defined by continuity, and David Bicknell gave that continuity its shape. Across more than two decades, the work held to a clear register: steady cellar judgment, close attention to quality, and a style that became closely identified with chardonnay. As a house style takes hold, it is usually because the same standards keep showing up vintage after vintage. In David Bicknell’s case, that meant a focused approach at Oakridge Wines, where chardonnay became the variety most associated with his name and the clearest marker of his winemaking identity.
Where They Are Now
The end of the Oakridge Wines chapter came in 2026, in David Bicknell’s own plain words: “Well, that's it. After nearly 24 and a half years, my time @oakridgewines has come to an end.” The line marks a finished tenure rather than a change of title, and the scale of it sits in the duration: nearly a quarter-century at one estate. Alongside that closure sits Bicknell FC, the small family winemaking business David Bicknell said he and his family started in 2011. He also said, “The only current plan is to concentrate on developing that business, although I will be happy to talk anyone interested in my services.” The move is to a smaller frame, but still inside the same craft language: practical, hands-on, and built around wine work rather than sentiment.
Signature
Chardonnay is the through line in David Bicknell’s work, and the named wines attached to that line are Oakridge 864 Chardonnay, Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay 2023, and MUSEUM RELEASE Hazeldene Vineyard Chardonnay 2017. Read together, they point to a winemaker whose reputation rests on one variety, a defined place, and the discipline of keeping the work measured across different releases.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of David
Where did David Bicknell work before?
David Bicknell's earlier career included Oakridge Wines.
What recognition has David Bicknell received?
Winemaker of the Year (2017).
