Having spent over 15 years working in wine retail, boutique and multi-national wine-making businesses here and abroad, John moved back to his hometown of Ballarat in Western Victoria to team up with his wine-loving in-laws, the Mitchells, to create Mitchell Harris Wines. 

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In 2013, Mitchell Harris Wines opened its urban cellar door, wine bar, and event space in the heart of Ballarat, where it quickly became an award-winning beacon for wine and food-loving locals and visitors to the region. 

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With the experience of 8 years working at Yarra Valley icon Domaine Chandon and its sister companies within the Moet Hennessy group, John specialises in crafting cool-climate sparkling and table wine from Central and Western Victorian wine-growing regions. 

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Having consulted to the Vinesmith winemaking team for a few years, John joined the crew for the 2024 harvest and, in July that year, signed on as Senior Winemaker, helping to manage the Blue Pyrenees Estate and Glenlofty Estate range of wines. 

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John has been an active wine show judge for nearly 20 years, having judged at many regional and capital city wine shows.