i. Biography
The Climb
Cellar work at Eastern Peake in Coghills Creek, Victoria put Owen Latta into the routines of the estate early: in 1999–1999 he was a cellar hand, and he looked after the cellar, learning the place from the inside out. Since 2007, the same producer has held his production work as winemaker / production at Eastern Peake, while Latta Vino has been the parallel outlet since 2013, where he is winemaker and label owner. The two roles show the range of the craft: one anchored to an established site, the other carried under his own name.
Today
At Eastern Peake in Ballarat, Australia, the work remains tied to producer and place, which is central to Owen Latta’s approach. Since 2013, Latta Vino in Victoria, Australia has added ownership to the production role. As winemaker and label owner, Owen Latta is not only making wine but also carrying the label itself. His own words set out the method plainly: "I like the gentle approach in the cellar that brings the vineyard into focus more so than the stamp of winemaking." That preference for restraint frames the work across both Eastern Peake and Latta Vino.
In Their Words “If winemaking was all about adding and correcting things, pushing styles and fast trends, not emphasising the vineyard and place, I would probably have found another career path to follow and nurture my creativity in another field.” “I like the gentle approach in the cellar that brings the vineyard into focus more so than the stamp of winemaking.”
Career - winemaker / production — Eastern Peake, Coghills Creek, Victoria (2007–present) - winemaker and label owner — Latta Vino, Victoria, Australia (2013–present) - cellar hand / looked after the cellar — Eastern Peake, Coghills Creek, Victoria (1999)
Recognition
Owen Latta’s honors include Young Gun of Wine (2025) and Gourmet Traveller Wine Young Winemaker of the Year (2018).
FAQ Where did Owen Latta work before? Owen Latta's earlier career included Eastern Peake. What recognition has Owen Latta received? Young Gun of Wine (2025).
