Viticultural & Horticultural Managers

Russell Schutz – Langhorne Creek Russell joined FABAL in 1997 as the Assistant Vineyard Manager at Marandoo Estate at Langhorne Creek, becoming the Vineyard Manager in 2000. Russell has since advanced to the role of Regional Manager Langhorne Creek where he oversees four vineyards in the Langhorne Creek area, Marandoo Estate Vineyard (350ha), Kayinga Vineyard (295ha), Belvidere Vineyard (62ha) and the recently planted 40 hectares of NVFA 4. Russell also manages and controls the day to day operations of the Belvidere Vineyard. Russell had 10 years experience in vineyard management and vineyard development when he ran Murphy & Schutz Pty Ltd. He has also had 10 years experience in the building industry. As Regional Manager of 780 hectares he supervises technical staff, co-ordinates vintage within the company and in conjunction with the wine and transport companies and works alongside the Group Viticultural Manager to maintain the vineyards at peak production.
	Nick McDonald – Kayinga, Langhorne Creek Nick joined FABAL in 2001 as the Vineyard Manager of Kayinga Vineyard at Langhorne Creek, and Nick is responsible for all aspects of the operations and management of the vineyard. Nick has previously managed a 60ha vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, was a viticulturist for a vineyard management and development company in Western Australia, was a winemaker in a large winery in south west France for a UK winemaking consultancy, was a Technical Assistant at Southcorp's 1,300ha Coonawarra Vineyards and in their central region (Clare, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley and McLaren Vale).
David Olssen – Auburn, Barossa Valley David was employed by FABAL in January 2005. He has experience in warm and cool climate viticulture having previously worked in the Coonawarra for Beringer Blass Wine Estates and prior to that for McGuigan Wines in the Riverland. He also has a working knowledge of the Clare Valley through his involvement in a local family vineyard development. David has also spent time in New Zealand in the Marlborough and Gisborne wine regions.
Ross Nicholson – Bantry Bay, Margaret River Ross was employed by FABAL in 2003 as a vineyard hand. His dedication to viticulture has taken Ross to the role of Superviser, and now Vineyard Manager (Acting) of the 109 ha vineyard at Willyabrup near Margaret River.
	Tony Lees – Padthaway and Coonawarra, Limestone Coast Prior to working for FABAL, Tony spent 6 years, in the early 80’s, in the Royal New Zealand Navy before working in construction for approximately 10 years and then briefly as a stock auditor. He then worked for 2 years as a vineyard hand at vineyards in the McLaren Vale area and for 2 years as an Assistant Manager at Mt Compass. Tony started with FABAL in 2001, and was heavily involved in managing the contractors used at Marandoo Estate. His dedication, enthusiasm and skills saw him promoted in 2004 to Vineyard Manager for the vineyards in the Limestone Coast which include the Chapel Vineyard at Coonawarra and the Bell’s Padthaway Entrance Vineyard.