i. Biography
Before being named Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2019, Jim Chatto had already built a career on three things: formal study, a sharp sensory memory, and a clear sense of what wine can ask of the maker. At Charles Sturt University, where he studied Wine Science from 2001 to 2008, the technical base was laid with the kind of attention that serious winemaking requires. The bottle of 1984 Mount Pleasant Semillon he encountered while studying winemaking is the kind of reference point many makers carry: a precise taste that helped set the direction of the work that followed.
Coming Up
From there, the work developed into his own label, Chatto Wines, where he has been founder / winemaker of Chatto label (since 2000). He later became chief winemaker of Mount Pleasant (since 2013), returning to the producer that had already lodged itself in his thinking through that formative bottle. Beyond the cellar, he also works within Australian wine's judging framework as senior wine show judge of regional and capital city wine shows, and as chairman of National Wine Show.
Where They Are Now
At Chatto Wines, the style is set around focused wines of purity and balance, with natural acidity, vibrancy and line, and a clear loyalty to site. That kind of brief leaves little room for excess: the work is to keep the wines direct, composed, and internally coherent. The result is a practice built on control and restraint, where expression comes through structure rather than volume. Mount Pleasant carries a history Jim Chatto has described plainly: “There is such a strong sense of history at Mount Pleasant.” The line fits a producer where lineage matters, but it is not treated as decoration. He has also said, “It is right on the edge of viticultural possibility.” Read together, the remarks point to a place that asks for attention to conditions, not just style; the maker's task is to work at the edge without losing line or balance.
Signature
Jim's signature wines include Isle, Intrigue, Bird, and Seven Inch. Taken together, they sketch a cellar focused on precision and variation: different wines, same discipline, each made to carry site, structure, and detail without overstatement.
In Their Words “There is such a strong sense of history at Mount Pleasant.” “It is right on the edge of viticultural possibility.”
Honors
Jim's honors include Winemaker of the Year (2019) and Winery of the Year for 2017 (Mount Pleasant, Halliday Wine Companion Awards).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Jim
What is Jim Chatto's current role?
As of 2026, Jim Chatto is founder / winemaker of Chatto label (Chatto Wines).
Where did Jim Chatto train or study?
Jim Chatto trained at Charles Sturt University.
What recognition has Jim Chatto received?
Winemaker of the Year (2019).
