Coonawarra freelance winemaker Ulrich Grey-Smith has a passion for fine wine and many years of experience in the winemaking industry.

Mr Grey-Smith has been making wine for approximately 30 years and came to the region in 2000 as a full-time winemaker at Padthaway Estate for eight years.

A love of wine runs in the family as his wife Sarah Pidgeon is also a winemaker at Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate.

In 2009, Mr Grey-Smith decided to create his own brand, Grey-Smith Wines.

He said it was fun establishing a brand and freelance winemaking allowed him more time with his family.

“The business of Grey-Smith Wines was formed really so that I could still work as a winemaker but pretty much work for myself and still contribute to the family,” he said.

Mr Grey-Smith said the life of a winemaker required many hours of work, particularly during vintage.

“I like using the equipment, I like being there at critical times, pressing and that sort of thing,” he said.

“I hope it encompasses some sort of liberty, I suppose, being able to do projects, being able to work on ideas as well as just being available if people need me.”

Mr Grey-Smith has developed great relationships with other wineries and is selective about the grapes he uses from vineyards to make his wines.

He enjoys being involved with others in the wine industry.

“It’s an amazing industry,” he said.

“The good thing about the industry is people are ready to pitch in if someone’s having a downtime and it all goes around, it’s a friendly place.”

The Grey-Smith Wines range includes a Chardonnay and two sparkling wines, also known as the Grey-Smith Blanc de Blancs.

One of the sparkling wines and the Chardonnay hail from Mount Gambier and the second sparkling is from the Coonawarra.

Mr Grey-Smith said his liquid calling-card was the Mount Gambier Blanc de Blancs, which is aged in the bottle for five years before its release and has zero dosage, meaning it has no added sweetness.

He said it does not need any due to its very fine bubble.

His primary market for this wine is restaurants in cities, where it is poured by the glass.

Mr Grey-Smith enjoyed presenting his wines at pop-up wine bars where his Mount Gambier Pinot makes an exclusive appearance.

He has appeared at events such as the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, Art in the Sticks and various events in Mount Gambier.

“Pop-ups are good fun and I hope they come back soon,” he said.

Mr Grey-Smith said the Penola community was a great environment for his kids to grow up in.

“It’s a great kids’ town,” he said.

“The community’s fantastic amongst the vines.”