Sue Bell, Bellwether Wines

Location: Coonawarra, South Australia (AUS)

Title: Winemaker, Director of Debt, Gardener, and Occasional Baker

Years in the Industry
I started in 1992 as a car park attendant and toilet cleaner at Noon winery at the Sea & Vines Festival in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Doing various hospitality, vineyard pruning, cellar hand, cellar door jobs while studying winemaking. I have worked for the biggest and smallest wineries in the world. I was offered a Graduate program with Southcorp wines in Mildura and worked up through the corporates, ultimately managing a 15,000 tonnes winery in the Limestone Coast of South Australia.

During that time, I worked in Bordeaux and California (yes, I love Cabernet) then at the end of 2008, I broke out to renovate a 150 year-old stone shearing shed in Coonawarra. We wanted to make a creative space to be shared by artists, musicians and chefs to make wine that is open and inclusive to the public. We have a campground, camp kitchen and produce garden for people to come and immerse themselves in. My vintage is small tonnes of varieties and sites that intrigue me.
 

My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:

People talk about working on your business, not in your business, and I find that almost impossible to step back. But when I do somehow make that break — whether it's sitting on a lawnmower or doing some type of almost docile type of job, that's when some of my best creative thoughts hit me like lightning bolts.

I am the world's best procrastinator and that's always been a challenge to me, and the people that surround me, but sometimes good things come out of taking time to come up with better solutions. There's probably also lots of missed opportunities, particularly financial, that I miss because of that behavior.

When you are creating a new concept that is evolving and capturing new creative souls, it is hard to say no to great opportunities. But as I have learned over the years, being grounded, and completely present in your business can be quite an exhilarating ride.

How I keep it together to stay well:     
Swimming is something I've always enjoyed, and I try to swim at least three times a week. It's a real solitary thing, but it's almost meditative. It's during those laps I can think about bigger issues. And it just really relaxes me. And I would say, I've had tough year this year financially in the business and swimming has saved my life.

I think gardening it's almost something you should do every day. The simple thing of pulling out a weed or tending to a garden bed, planting something new. Being able to eat from it is wonderful, and I think that each season teaches you, as well.

I am constantly inspired by other people's creativity, and I don't visit a city or town without seeing their art gallery. Living in a rural area, I love what you can find in some country areas. I have this theory that sometimes you go somewhere and it's almost too beautiful. So there's no need for further creativity. I think in a more isolated open landscape, your mind has space for creativity.

I try to take leave at least once a year and go bushwalking and camping out of mobile range. To empower those left back at work and to thoroughly enjoy time with my daughter in nature, reconnecting with the land.
 

What Do you Drink When You're Not Drinking?

I love herbal tea. And so particularly from the gardens, so whether it's at home or at work I've got a little tea garden that has lemon verbena, lemongrass, and I keep ginger in my freezer. I love lemon Myrtle, or if I want something else, I might have rooibos. I drink more tea than any other drink.

What inspires You on Your Wine Journey?:
The people and the seasons; and really, I'm really an engineering dropout. It's kind of neat that I've ended up in a place making wine, where geology is such an important part of our landscape. I really love trying to understand those ancient features of the landscape, and some of the features we have around here are wonderful. Whether it's an old volcano or water, inspiring characters are everywhere.

 The world can learn a lot from Australian Aboriginal knowledge. It always puts me or my seemingly petty concerns into perspective. I’m a tragic optimist so I see the benefits far outweighing the mountainous challenges.

My favorite quote. 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -- Eleanor Roosevelt.
 
You can connect with Sue at the Bellwether Wines website and on Instagram.