BEHIND THE WINE Steve Dundon Interview by: Philippa Danson Answered by: Steve Dundon Steve Dundon joined Sidewood Estate in April at Uni with Booze Brothers before taking a year off 2017 as Sidewood’s new National Sales Manager travelling and living abroad. I spent 3.5 years working for bringing with him 20 years of experience in the wine Domaine Wine Shippers before joining Moet Hennessy, industry. Steve came from working with internationally where I spent 10.5 years as State Manager. After working recognised brands like Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, as GM for Chalk Hill, I joined Sidewood in April 2017. Veuve Clicquot and Hennessy and Chalk Hill in McLaren Vale. Q: Outside of wine, what are your interests? A: I love the outdoors, so hiking and 4 x 4 especially in Going into our third year as the Official Wine Partner the Flinders Ranges. I’m into cooking and spending time of Port Adelaide Football Club, Steve’s been with my young son who loves animals. We head to the looking to increase our support for South Australian zoo every Saturday morning to have some solid father/ sport and played an integral role in the development of son time together. Although Sidewood sponsors Port our new partnership with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Adelaide Football Club, I’m a mad Crow’s supporter, (who like my favourite sporting team, the Boston Celtics) sadly When Steve’s not taking his son for their weekly trips seem to struggle in finals. to the Adelaide Zoo, you might see him indulging in some pretty extravagant champagne and sparkling wine Q: Best wine for newbie wine drinkers? through Instagram page, @Champagne_XS which he A: Disregard the wine snobs and just taste as many wines runs with a friend. as you can and determine what you like. I know there’s a pocket anti Sauvignon Blanc drinkers out there, but Learn more about Steve with our interview with the everything goes in cycles. 20 years ago, the wine shop National Sales Manager below, I worked at had 4 x Sauv Blancs and 60 x Chardonnays just before Chardonnay took a back seat. Sauvignon Q: What does your typical day look like? Blanc is a great way to cut your teeth prior to moving A: Varied but usually up at our office in Oakbank. onto Riesling, Pinot Blanc etc. Managing the business’ sales’ and marketing strategies and liaising with our various National and International Q: Favourite Sidewood Wine at the moment? wholesale partners. A: The Sidewood 777 Pinot Noir gets a good workout on my staff account. It’s a pretty wine from a unique clone Q:What’s your background and how did you come to of Pinot Noir from our Oakbank estate. It has a real work at Sidewood? Burgundian style and seamless elegance which you’d A: I’ve always been passionate about wine and have normally pay twice the price for. worked in the industry for 20 years. I worked retail whilst 13