Uncorked: Sue Hodder of Wynns

Sue Hodder is the senior winemaker at Australia’s famed Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Having just completed her 26th vintage in Coonawarra, Hodder’s winemaking skill was recognised in 2016 when she and fellow Wynns winemaker Sarah Pidgeon were jointly awarded the ASVO Winemaker of the Year, for two decades of collaborating on “Cabernet Sauvignon for the Future”. Last year, the amicable winemaker organised the winery’s biggest vertical tasting ever featuring 60 vintages of Wynn’s Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon from 1954  to 2016 (no Black Label was produced in 1961 or 1963), which is considered by Hodder as a highlight of her career. In her interview with dbHK, the winemaker talks about the iconic 1982 Wynns John Riddoch, and Hollywood heavyweights, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. 

What vintage are you?

1963.

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

Some Australian clarets (we no longer use those terms) including Wynns – elegant and age-worthy.

Where are you happiest?

In the vineyard tasting grapes.

What’s your greatest vice?

Too much wine.

Best advice you ever got?

Regarding winemaking, “Each vintage is unique. Be creative but don’t take anything for granted.”

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

My 1982 Wynns John Riddoch. 

What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?

Worst is the occasional inaccuracies in reporting of science and stories. The best is everything else. 

What’s on your wine bucket list?

So many ancient wine regions to visit – later this year I’m going to Bulgaria and Turkey.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? 

I finally watched the movie, The Post, and loved it. So the cast of that movie including Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?

80 points on a good day.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Wynns Black Label Cabernet.