Virginia Willcock is the chief winemaker at Vasse Felix in Margaret River, Australia. A widely respected winemaker and an authority on Margaret River, she joined Vasse Felix to lead its winemaking in 2006.
We spoke with Virginia for our Women Winemakers Q&A series about the commitment harvest demands, her intuitive approach to winemaking, her advice for women in wine and her can't-fail pairing.
Harvest Commitment and an Intuitive Approach
What's one thing people wouldn't know or expect about being a winemaker?
Harvest commitment. It's the ultimate sacrifice during vintage to understand and focus on every patch of grapes. You have to make life decisions based around commitment to the job and the wine you are making.
How would you describe your approach to winemaking? What makes that unique?
Every winemaker is different. But I believe there is a balance between being a technical winemaker and an intuitive winemaker. I find myself being more on the intuitive side. Every response to vintage is unique and I believe that in order to make a true wine, we need to know when to do less and allow nature to work.
In two words, how would you describe the magic of Vasse Felix wine?
Elegant power.
Advice, Pairings and Her Cellar
What is one piece of advice you would give other women working their way up in the wine industry?
You need to love it with a passion to give the commitment required. Be sure you want to do it, because the grapes rule your life for up to 3 months every year. Spending time with friends or family can be put on hold in order to devote the time necessary. The grapes ripen based on environmental influences not ours.
What's your can't-fail food and wine pairing?
Fatty salami and a fine Cabernet.
If we were to take a cellar dive into your personal wine collection, what would we find?
Cabernet, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Nerello Mascalese, Riesling, Pinot Noir.
Shop Vasse Felix Wines
Margaret River Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Vasse Felix, where Virginia has led the winemaking since 2006 - and the first two grapes she names in her own cellar.
Shop all Vasse Felix wines
More Women Winemaker interviews: Jennifer Doyle of Jansz · Laura Principiano of Zuccardi · All Women Winemaker Q&As
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Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia ● Chardonnay
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95 Australian
Wine Companion -
94 James
Suckling -
94 Robert
Parker -
92 Wine
Spectator
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Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia ● Cabernet Sauvignon
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Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia ● Cabernet Sauvignon
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93 Wine
Enthusiast -
93 Wine
Spectator -
92 James
Suckling -
92 Vinous
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91 Robert
Parker
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