The arrival of winter this year brought with it the arrival of a new addition to the team at Stefano Lubiana Wines.

Former restaurateur, export manager and agricultural scientist Patrick Johnston joined us in August to begin the establishment of a vineyard kitchen garden and orchard on our Granton site.

Patrick’s tremendous range of skills and expertise will be familiar to many Tasmanians. He was formerly the owner/operator of Glo Glo’s Restaurant in Latrobe from 2000 to 2006, one of the North West Tasmania’s best eateries during that period.

In September 2009, Patrick planted Tasmania’s first Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden at Hobart’s Moonah Primary School. Earlier this year, Patrick graduated from the Tasmanian Polytechnic with a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations and was awarded the prize for Outstanding Contribution and Commitment to Training.

This latest career move will see Patrick’s working life come full circle. His first job as a senior plant agronomist with Roberts 20 years ago also brought him up close and personal with growing crops and the joys of having his hands work the good earth.