FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2020

Jen Pfeiffer was only 4 years old when her parents bought the historic “Old Distillery” property in Rutherglen in 1984.

Jen thrived in the Pfeiffer winery environment, enjoying the freedom of exploring the vineyard on her bike, and knowing all the best places to hide in the winery during games of hide and seek with her cousins. Growing up in a winemaking family, Jen was exposed to wine culture from a very early age, and thus began the process of absorption – soaking up plenty of knowledge about the Australian and international wine industries, and being exposed to some great wines from all around the world.

Thus, it would seem it was fate that Jen return to the family business, but not before a brief stint at Melbourne University studying Science/Law. In fact, it was in 2000 that Jen decided to come home to “do the vintage and earn a bit of cash, then head off overseas”. Jen was given the responsibility of making the 2000 Pfeiffer Shiraz, and discovered she had an affinity with winemaking, and that she really enjoyed the work. Jen was rewarded with a gold medal for that first wine, and the rest is history, as they say.

Jen was a runner up in the Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year in 2006 and 2007, so was thrilled to take out the prize in 2009.

This capped off a stellar 2009 for Jen and Pfeiffer Wines. Jen earned her winery a 5 star rating in James Halliday Wine Companion 2010 edition. She also picked up trophies for Best Wine of Show and Best Fortified Wine of Show at the Riverland Wine Show (Pfeiffer Grand Rutherglen Muscat), Best Victorian White Wine at the Ballarat Show (2008 Pfeiffer Chardonnay), Most Successful Exhibitor Ballarat Wine Show and Best Dessert Wine at the Brisbane Fine Wine Show (Pfeiffer Classic Rutherglen Topaque).
Pfeiffer Wines has maintained its 5 star James Halliday rating since then.

Born and raised in rural Western Victoria.

Studied immunology & microbiology at Monash University in early 90’s before falling in love with wine and enrolling in the Wine Science degree at Charles Sturt University.

I completed a couple of vintages at Brown Brothers, and in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and had a brief stint managing a fine wine store in Melbourne before taking on a winemaking role at Mount Avoca. After completing my wine science studies I was invited to Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley as operations winemaker moving on to still winemaker, including helping to develop the still wine program at Chandon’s Napa Valley winery, and working with production teams from all over the world. I looked after the sparkling wine program from 2003 to late 2007 before leaving to pursue my own winemaking interests.

Moving back home to Ballarat, in 2008, and in partnership with my in-laws, the Mitchells, Mitchell Harris Wines was born, specialising in crafting distinctive sparkling and cool climate table wine styles from Ballarat and the neighbouring vineyards of the Pyrenees, and the Macedon Ranges.

In 2013 Mitchell Harris Wines opened an urban cellar door, and wine bar in a 140 year old electric motor workshop and tent makers in the heart of Ballarat. Supporting the many great wines and producers of Western and Central Victoria and beyond, we also host regular wine education dinners and tasting events through our Curious Winemaker program. Our award winning venue is a beacon for locals and visitors to the region.

I have been an active wine show judge for over ten years, having judged at many regional and capital city wine shows.

In 2015 I was appointed to the Victorian State government’s Wine Ministerial Advisory Committee (WineMAC).