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Winemaking Team

Pia Merrick

Senior Winemaker - Whites

Pia’s passion for Wine and Food started from a very young age in Finland by reading endless books about wine, food and wine science.

After working in England as a Sommelier and finishing Higher Certificate of Wine & Spirit Pia undertook her first vintage in Chile’s Maipo Valley, followed by a number of years working in Tasmania establishing vineyards and working in cool-climate winemaking.

After Tasmania, Pia initiated a successful wine education business in Finland while continuing her studies of Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) in Australia at Charles Sturt University. During those years, Pia also completed two vintages in France.

After working in Europe Pia returned to Tasmania to work with Andrew Pirie at Tamar Ridge for a number of years specializing in sparkling wine. This followed by five successful years in Western Australia working in winemaking and seven years in Mudgee, working with fruit from New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia.

Pia’s passion is white winemaking and expressing fruit aromas and flavours from the vineyard. She continues her studies with a focus on flavour and aroma precursors.

Having completed an AWAC – Advanced Wine Assessment Course at the Australian Wine Research   Institute, Pia has been involved with judging in a number of wine shows in Australia. Including the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Pia also has a strong background in Quality Management and Food Safety.

Pia commenced with Qualia Wines 2019 as White Winemaker.