The Little Wine Company
Suzanne is the winemaker for The Little Wine Company and also produces cool climate wines under her Talga label. Previously Senior Winemaker at Rosemount Estate, Suzanne now specialises in alternative varieties such as Tempranillo, Viognier and Sangiovese.
Suzanne's career in wine started in 1988 at Katnook Estate in Coonawarra. After Katnook Suzanne diverted to other things; travelling overseas and later working in Sydney in the Sydney Futures Exchange and later as a Trainee Bonds Dealer. Her interest in the Money Markets lead Suzanne back to Canberra to complete a degree in Economics at the Australian National University.
In 1991 Suzanne returned to the wine industry working at Lark Hill in Canberra before moving to the Hunter Valley. Suzanne completed her degree in Wine Science at Charles Sturt University while working at Reynolds and later as Senior Winemaker at Rosemount Estates.
At Rosemount Suzanne was ultimately responsible for Rosemount's Reserve wines including Balmoral Shiraz and Roxburgh Chardonnay. Suzanne's passion for Chardonnay was fuelled by spending five years immersed with some of the best Chardonnay fruit available from the Giants Creek, Roxburgh and Orange District vineyards.
In 2000 Suzanne left Rosemount to join forces with her winemaking husband Ian Little. Together they are exploring new varieties such as Viognier, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot.
Suzanne lives with her husband Ian and their two children (Jeremy, 10 and Caitlin, 9) in the Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley.
"Suzanne Little is a highly talented winemaker and astute palate."
- Lester Jesberg, Winewise Magazine
"There can't be many boutique wineries that boast the in-house expertise of Littles"
- John Lewis, Newcastle Herald
"It may be Little by name but it's certainly anything but Little when it comes to achievement."
- David Ellis, North Shore Times
"Watch this duo, they certainly have the excitement and energy that comes from people who love what they're doing."
- Australian Wine Selector Magazine
Wines by The Little Wine Company
Photos for The Little Wine Company
The Little Wine Company
Ian Little is one half of the winemkaing duo that is The Little Wine Company. A trained Biochemist and Brewer, Ian has been making wine in the Hunter Valley for nearly 25 years.
Born in South Africa, Ian grew up in a number of different countries including Brazil, Argentina and the Philippines. After completing a degree in Biochemistry in England, Ian moved to Australia and commenced work as a Brewer at the historic Tooths Brewery in Broadway, Sydney.
As part of his training as a brewer, Ian enrolled in the Wine Science course at Charles Sturt University which at the time was the only formal training available to the beer industry. The wine industry soon caught his attention and in 1980 Ian moved to South Australia to work at Reynella Winery in McLaren Vale. It was at Reynella that Ian was inducted into the great traditions of Australian fortified wines. Not surprisingly, the first Trophy Ian won in the Hunter Valley was for a Vintage Port.
In 1983, Ian and his father Michael founded Littles Winery in Palmers Lane, Pokolbin, releasing their first vintage in 1984. Ian developed a unique style with Semillon and Shiraz and pioneered the dry style Gewurztraminer in the Hunter Valley. Ian's Gewurztraminer is arguably Australia's most awarded Gewurz. Ian was also responsible for setting up the Kurri TAFE Winery and training complex in the mid 1990's. He wrote and taught the original Vignerons course at Kurri TAFE which has trained many of the Vignerons throughout the valley since its inception.
Ian lives with his wife, Suzanne and their two children (Jeremy, 10 and Caitlin, 9) in the Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley.
"One thing that has remained constant is Ian's quiet, dedicated and skilled approach to his wine. And it is a theme further bolstered by Canberra-born Suzanne, the gifted young former Rosemount winemaker he married in 1996."
- John Lewis, Newcastle Herald
"I well remember visiting the winery during its early days. I was, and still am, very impressed by his wines and the quiet no-nonsense way he and Suzanne go about producing and promoting them."
- Tom Hardy
Wines by The Little Wine Company
Photos for The Little Wine Company
