Just over twenty years ago, one of Australia’s top surgeons was searching around for something to do in retirement. He decided to grow grapes and persuaded his anesthetist to join him.

The two doctors began planting vines in South Australia’s McLaren Vale in 1984.

At first they sold their grapes to other wineries but then, gradually, began to make their own wine.

Today, Fox Creek Wines is a still very much a ‘family type’ business, but the winery has now begun to export and one of their most successful markets is Russia.

Fox Creek’s Sales Manager, Errol Hanna, says that the Russian market has opened up for wines recently because one of the country’s main sources has been closed. “At the same time, there is a trend for younger Russians to consume less vodka and drink more wine.”

Mr Hanna said that Austrade helped Fox Creek with advice. “They assisted us by explaining what the Russian market was doing so we could marry this advice with what the customer needed.”

Fox Creek Wines is helping the Russians get to know more about Australian wines. A few months ago, Mr Hanna gave a lecture, through interpreters, at the Moscow Sommeliers College, and the company recently arranged for a delegation from Russian casinos and hotels to visit the winery in McLaren Vale.  “There is a lot to see in the way we make our new world wines,” Mr Hanna said.

The winery is now also selling into Brazil, India, and Singapore, as well as Russia. “We’re reaching out,” said Errol Hanna.