Rob and Genevieve Mann, Winemakers, Directors and Owners, Corymbia Wines, Swan Valley (AUS)

Years In the Industry:

Rob and Genevieve Mann have more than 40 years of winemaking experience between them. Rob grew up in the Swan Valley, Western Australia, riding the tractor with his legendary winemaker grandfather, Jack Mann, while Gen studied and worked as a winemaker in South Africa, France, California and South Australia prior to moving to Margaret River in 2007 as winemaker for Howard Park.
 
Moving to South Australia in the early 2000s, Rob worked in McLaren Vale as Senior Winemaker at Hardys Tintara before being recruited to lead the winemaking for Cape Mentelle, then tapped to  head up LVMH's Napa estate, Newton Vineyard. The couple returned to the Swan Valley, Western Australia to establish Corymbia Wines, and today farm Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo in Swan valley and Cabernet Sauvignon in Margaret River.
 
Our Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
Switching off! Taking time out for ourselves without the kids (bless them but everyone needs a break sometimes) and no work pillow talk! Reflection is also key which we’re not particularly good at. Our biggest challenge is reminding ourselves how far we’ve come and taking stock of what we’ve achieved.
 
It’s only when we’re asked by an industry colleague for a summary of your bio, work achievements to date and wine accolades that we really sit back and think “wow”! After 15 years of searching for the perfect marriage of place and variety (Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon), we finally took custodianship of our Calgardup Vineyard in Margaret River.  
 
This is just the beginning of our journey as sixth-generation West Australian grape growers and winemakers. With the constant desire to make improvements to the way we farm our Cabernet vineyard and with fallow ground to plant more vineyard next year; it’s a constant challenge to stop, take a breath and reflect more often!
 
How We Keep It Together To Stay Well:
In this area, we are a little different in our approaches. Within a family business, where the office is in your own home and the vineyard right out the front door, we find it’s important to separate work from general farm life.
 
Rob enjoys tinkering in the garden with the boys, growing delicious, fresh and juicy vegetables. He comes from a family of hunters and gatherers with a true respect for the land and what nature provides. The occasional rabbit or kangaroo hunt, along with the vegetable garden, provides for the family table (think rabbit rillette, bbq kangaroo fillets, roasted vegetables in the pizza oven) but more importantly allows Rob to connect with nature and relax at the end of a hard day’s work.
 
Gen loves the water. With the Indian Ocean right on the doorstep of our home and Calgardup vineyard, Gen loves nothing more than a long ocean swim or a couple of kilometres smashed out in the local pool. Swimming is her meditation as it’s all in the breath. Controlling your breath whilst swimming is crucial to overcoming a challenging set in the pool or a few set waves crashing over your head at the beach. Gen swims with an amazing group of women; Swimming Women (@swimmingwomen) who provide lots of laughs and most importantly camaraderie and encouragement regardless of age or ability.

We then come together as a family to stay well. With our two young boys we love fishing, surfing, bush walking and camping. Nothing beats the opportunity to centre oneself in nature and see things from the eyes of your kids.
 
You can connect with Rob and Gen Mann on Instagram @corymbiawine Facebook: Corymbia  and online at www.corymbiawine.com.au