Dylan Grigg
The journey to here
Owning a vineyard and starting a wine label was not on the to-do list in 2019. I'd only just returned with my young family from living in Spain. But when the chance came up to take on a significantly old, character-filled vineyard in the heart of the Barossa, it made sense.
I grew up in the Barossa Valley. My family weren't directly involved in wine, but in this region there was always some association, as you'd expect living in such a well-established and historic growing region.
The pull toward home, and owning our own piece of the Barossa, was built over a long stretch of experiences and relationships across three countries. Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and plenty of trips in between. Every one of those trips over the last 25 years has been, in some way, an exploration of viticulture and wine. Most wine regions turn out to be beautiful places, full of people who share the same love of what they do.
I knew from school age I wanted to work with my hands. First as an apprentice chef, then pruning in my hometown of Lyndoch, back in the Barossa. That was the start of what turned a less than enthusiastic student into a full-blown viticulture nerd, and somehow led to a PhD in grapevine age from the University of Adelaide, then to working as an international consultant and vineyard owner with a small wine label.
I've now been in viticulture for more than 25 years, working as an independent consultant since 2008. The practical side started on the ground: years of driving tractors, training vines, walking rows scouting for disease and disorders, checking for vine health as well as tasting fruit to judge harvest timing.
In 2026, I was named Viticulturist of the Year by the Halliday Wine Companion, one of two national viticulture awards I've now received.
When I'm not in my own vineyard, I'm usually in someone else's, sharing what I've learned. You can read more about that work below.
Meristem Viticulture
Meristem is Dylan's independent viticulture consultancy, based in South Australia and working with vineyards across Australia and internationally.
More about Meristem HERE.
