i. Biography
His work is rooted in a young South Australian region he prizes for its openness, a place not yet weighed down by inherited rules: “I love that it's quite a young region compared to the Barossa Valley, the Hunter Valley or McLaren Vale – so we're not bound by tradition.” In that setting, James Evers has built a practice shaped by ease, freshness and forward motion, with the region’s lack of fixed script giving him room to work with clarity and restraint.
The Climb
James Evers began at Nepenthe in 2007, and that first chapter in his career set the tone for what followed. In the same year, he was working as winemaker and as Head Winemaker Premium Wines, taking on cellar responsibilities that demanded detail and discipline. The significance of that start lies in how quickly it established the terms of the work: structure, precision and the ability to balance creative decisions against a defined cellar standard.
Today
The current role remains dated 2007–present, a long stretch that points to continuity in the cellar as much as commitment to the site. James’s working philosophy is concise, almost spare in its clarity: “My philosophy of wine is to keep it light and bright.” That line reads like a production brief as much as a credo, and it places the emphasis on lift, clarity and restraint rather than weight or excess. In a young region, that kind of precision has a clear fit.
Signature
James's signature wines include NV Sparkling Cuvee, 2022 Pinnacle Albariño, 2022 Pinnacle Chardonnay, and Apex Pinot Noir. Read together, they show a cellar range that moves from sparkling wine through white varieties to Pinot Noir, with each wine sitting inside the same preference for brightness, structure and clean fruit expression. The set gives a clear view of how Evers applies that approach across different styles.
In Their Words “I love that it's quite a young region compared to the Barossa Valley, the Hunter Valley or McLaren Vale – so we're not bound by tradition.” “The Adelaide Hills region is extremely exciting for me as a winemaker because of its diverse topography.”
Recognition
James’s view of place is equally direct: “The Adelaide Hills region is extremely exciting for me as a winemaker because of its diverse topography.” The point is not romance but working range: a region whose contours create room for response, and whose relative youth leaves interpretation open. For Evers, that openness has given his work at Nepenthe a suitable frame, and his wines a clear, restrained voice.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of James
What is James Evers's current role?
As of 2026, James Evers is Winemaker.
