Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Board And Committee Experience
References
Timeline
Generic

Mike ( Michael) Brown

McLaren Flat,Australia

Summary

I am a dynamic leader in the wine industry, adept at driving sales and brand development with a proven track record at Gemtree Wines. With over 26 years experience in wine I have excelled in customer relationships and achieving sizeable volume targets whilst maintaining profitability. Skilled in teamwork and collaboration, consistently delivering strategic growth and operational excellence.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of International Sales

Randall Wine Group
Mclaren Vale , South Australia
11.2023 - Current
  • After 40 Years of buIlding a luxury bulk wine business, Warren Randall owner and Chairman decided to diversify his business model to focus on branded export sales for his three brands, Seppeltsfield Wines, Penny’s Hill Estate and Gemtree Organic.
  • Prior to the purchase of Gemtree in October 2023, he had two other people employed internationally to manage the export business, and after consultation, we decided to roll the three roles into one. This newly created position commenced in August 2024.
  • My role involves extensive overseas travel to three major provinces in Canada, the UK, the USA, Asia, and the Nordics, all significant volume markets for the business.
  • Responsible for all markets revenue targets, travel budgets and cost control.

Managing Director, Chief Winemaker

Gemtree Wines
Mclaren Vale , South Australia
02.1998 - 11.2023
  • As managing director and chief winemaker at Gemtree Wines, I had visibility, control, and responsibility for all activities of the company.
  • Along with my wife Melissa we were actively involved in every facet of the businesses operations. From grape to bottle, global sales and marketing, DTC and cellar door, including tourism, human resources and financial management.
  • Starting my tenure as the winemaker and finishing as Managing director I oversaw many changes and challenges.
  • In 2013 we brought a winery and built a sustainable cellar door.
  • In 2016 my brother in law left the company and I took over as Managing director.
  • in 2017 I launched a direct to business sales model in China which was creating $1.5M of revenue at 45% gross profit when the tariffs were introduced in 2020.
  • 2019 I oversaw a complete brand refresh and signed Oatley Fine Wine Merchants as our national distributor. case volumes now stable at 8,000 9LE.
  • Wineclub/Tourism and DTC was our most profitable business unit and growing in revenue by 15% year on year.

Consultant

Cartesian Pty. Ltd.
01.2011 - 12.2012
  • I was employed on behalf of Wine Grapes Australia to make wine for the growers. I consulted with all growers and managed all winemaking operations across five sites around South Australia
  • This was a new business model which began from a zero base to deal with a surplus of winegrapes and capitalise on bulk wine relationships.
  • In 2011 and 2012 we sold 1 million litres of premium wine to Treasury Wine Estates

Winemaker

Kangarilla Road Vineyard and Winery
11.2000 - 01.2006
  • During my tenure I oversaw a period of expansion of the winery from 140 tonnes to 2000 tonnes
  • I managed all aspects of Quality Assurance, winemaking, plant and equipment purchasing and commissioning during this development phase
  • In 2013, Gemtree purchased the winery and all production equipment

Flying Winemaker

Bottle Green Pty. Ltd.
, France
09.2001 - 12.2001
  • Simply an Australian winemaker making wine in a technically sound way to be sold in UK.
  • Made and sold 5 million litres of wine

Flying Winemaker

Jacques and Francois Lurton
, France
08.2000 - 11.2000
  • Newly graduated from Adelaide University I made wine for the Lurton family, famous in France and Australia’s Kangaroo Island
  • This was not an easy beginning to my vinous career, but it cemented my resolve to become a skilled winemaker
  • I made wine in competition with the French co-operative in their cellar
  • All wine was sold

Cellar Manager

d’Arenberg Wines Pty. Ltd.
01.1997 - 01.2000

Winemaker / Managing Cellar Door

Tinlins Wines Pty. Ltd.
01.1994 - 01.1996

Sales Representative

Tyrrells wines
Sydney, NSW
01.1991 - 01.1994

Education

OENOLOGY POST GRADUATE DEGREE - Winemaking

UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Adelaide, SA
06-2000

Wine Marketing Diploma -

University of ADELAIDE
Adelaide, SA
01.1991

Skills

  • Sales and marketing
  • Diversity Engagement
  • Brand development
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Organizational skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Customer relations

Board And Committee Experience

  • Board Member/Director and Chairperson, Australian Organic Limited (AOL), 06/01/19, 11/01/22, Resigned in November 2022 for personal reasons.
  • Board Member/Director, McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association, 11/01/13, 11/01/16

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Head of International Sales

Randall Wine Group
11.2023 - Current

Consultant

Cartesian Pty. Ltd.
01.2011 - 12.2012

Flying Winemaker

Bottle Green Pty. Ltd.
09.2001 - 12.2001

Winemaker

Kangarilla Road Vineyard and Winery
11.2000 - 01.2006

Flying Winemaker

Jacques and Francois Lurton
08.2000 - 11.2000

Managing Director, Chief Winemaker

Gemtree Wines
02.1998 - 11.2023

Cellar Manager

d’Arenberg Wines Pty. Ltd.
01.1997 - 01.2000

Winemaker / Managing Cellar Door

Tinlins Wines Pty. Ltd.
01.1994 - 01.1996

Sales Representative

Tyrrells wines
01.1991 - 01.1994

OENOLOGY POST GRADUATE DEGREE - Winemaking

UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Wine Marketing Diploma -

University of ADELAIDE

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