“What is my favourite part of being a winemaker? People, place, passion and drive. I love wine and everything that goes into it – from producing grapes, to the process of making and blending wine. For me, I’ve found the job for life. There are not too many days where I don’t want to go to work. That makes me a lucky person I guess.”

Meet Tim Adams, our Winemaker at Lake Road Wines.

Initially trained as a chef, Tim quickly discovered that he was fascinated by wine and its infinite differences.

A few years later when traveling around the world, pack on his back, he visited many of the great wine regions, and he knew he had found his calling. “I visited many of the great wine regions in Europe, USA and Australia. They were lovely places, nice climate, friendly people who loved food. They all have a strong sense of place. I wanted to be part of that.”

So, on Tim’s return to New Zealand in late 1997, he enrolled at Lincoln University to do the Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology. “And so, it all started…” says Tim.

Now into his 25th year working in winemaking, and looking at his 30th vintage this year coming, Tim is still just as passionate about wine, and everything that goes into it.

They say to never ask a winemaker for their favourite wine – perhaps the reason being that is just too hard to choose. For Tim, it differs depending on the day.

“It varies depending on the day, my mood and what or who I’m enjoying it with. Sauvignon Blanc can be a challenge (in a good way). Not too difficult to grow or make - but making it stand out is a real feat of good viticulture, site selection, winemaking and blending. Pinot Noir has also been a perirenal favourite, it is subtle but in your face, difficult to grow and make. It is always challenging you and does not give up its secrets easily.”

When he’s not living and breathing his first passion as winemaker, he is enjoying his other interests too. “I’m a cycling nut! Mountain biking, gravel riding, bikepacking and occasional round of Cyclocross, a gravel race or Brevet (if I want to beat myself up). I also love cooking for friends and family with some good music in the background - and of course spending quality time with my wife and two children.”

The saying goes “love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life”. Having found his calling in winemaking, it seems Tim Adams is one of the lucky ones.