Our Story
Meet the iconic duo behind Pressed Wines
Located in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, the Press family has turned the page and begun a new chapter with their new brand, Pressed Wines.
Mike has gathered a wealth of winemaking experience during his legendary tenures at the likes of Seppelt, Mildara Blass, and Penfolds, where he worked under the renowned Max Schubert. After an illustrious career in the wine industry with decades of experience under his belt, Mike sought out a new endeavour alongside his wife, Judy.
The pair purchased their home in Keyton Valley, a small town just outside Lobethal. Between 1998 and 1999, the two planted 60 acres of vineyards in a plan to sell their grapes to the industry contacts that they had acquired over the years. Sadly, the Press family struggled as they were faced with a colossal oversupply of grapes that tarnished the demand for their product.
Rather than watch their brilliant plan succumb to one of Australia’s most prominent grape gluts, the Press family decided to act. Mike Press is no stranger to the vine, and so he decided to dust off his winemaker boots and got to work. Walking the streets of Adelaide and Lobethal, they began by popping flyers for their cleanskin wines in letterboxes. The word quickly got around town and before they knew it, the pair were selling multiple cases of wine daily! People adored the personal touch as Mike hand-delivered the South Australian orders, and the wine itself provided some of the best value they had ever witnessed!
In their first-ever wine show, their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot stole the show, picking up awards for the top red wines in their respective category. Following this success, the pair entered their Shiraz into the mix for the 2005 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, where their wine finished as the runner-up – something that was practically unheard of for a cleanskin! This sparked a wave of demand, and the two promptly worked together to organise some labels to slap onto their naked bottles, beginning what would be their extraordinary venture with Mike Press Wines.
Through James Halliday’s Wine Companion, Mike has held numerous awards to his name. From featuring in James Halliday’s Top 100 Wines for nine consecutive years to achieving a 5-star rating from the wine connoisseur himself and even picking up hundreds of medals at wine shows along the way, the list of Mike’s accolades seems endless.
In early 2024, Mike and Judy began a new venture, upholding the same cherished values that have long defined their legacy – crafting premium quality wines at rock-bottom prices. After launching their first wines in May of 2024, the duo aims to showcase the very best of what Adelaide has to offer, sourcing grapes from all over the state and crafting them into memorable wines where every sip tells a story. Mike is passionate about being involved in every step of the viticultural journey – this meticulous attention to detail ensures each wine is crafted to absolute perfection. Pressed Wines will stay true to its roots and remain a family operation, with a few familiar faces joining us on our new endeavour.
And for those wondering, yes, Mike still plans on hand-delivering your South Australian orders from time to time.
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