Ian Hongell

The Climb

At Peter Lehmann Wines, Ian Hongell built the winemaking discipline that later carried into Torbreck Vintners. He served there as Chief Winemaker until 2017, before taking on two roles at Torbreck in parallel from that year: Chief Winemaker and General Manager. The shift broadened the remit without changing the core task — cellar work on one hand, house management on the other.

Today

The 2017 appointment still defines Ian Hongell’s current position in the Barossa Valley. With winemaking leadership and general management combined, the role spans both style and structure: one part shaping the wines, the other keeping the estate’s wider pace in order. His own account of the fit is direct: “I’ve worked in three different countries and when I come back, I know I’m in the place I want to be.”

Signature

Ian's signature wines include The Steading, RunRig, Les Amis Grenache, Old Vines Grenache/Mataro/Shiraz, and The Laird. Together they point to a style that holds presence without pushing into excess, with each wine carrying weight through balance rather than force. Within the Torbreck Vintners range, these names mark the span of his work since 2017.

In Their Words “We’re trying to stay away from sledgehammer qualities. We want to make wines we like to drink.” “Grenache Blanc has that flinty note of Chardonnay.”

Recognition

On Grenache Blanc, Ian Hongell has said, “Grenache Blanc has that flinty note of Chardonnay.” The comment is a useful read on his palate: looking for texture, nuance, and small distinctions that register without dominating the wine.