Phil Ryan
Chief Winemaker and Manager, Mount Pleasant

Phil joined McWilliam’s Wines in 1965 at the age of 19. For more than a decade he was employed in the company’s laboratory and quality control areas, based in Pyrmont, Sydney.

In 1978, Phil was appointed Mount Pleasant Winemaker where he worked under the guidance of O’Shea’s successor Brian Walsh until he assumed his current position in 1985.

Since that time Phil has been responsible for McWilliam’s award winning range of Mount Pleasant wines, including the flagship Maurice O’Shea Shiraz and Chardonnay, the single vineyard Rosehill Shiraz, OP&OH Shiraz and Lovedale Semillon, as well as Elizabeth Semillon, one of the most consistently awarded white wines in Australia.

“ It is certainly a privilege to make super premium wines from some of Australia’s oldest and most revered vineyards,” Phil said.

“ I am extremely proud of the responsibility I have for maintaining the style and quality of a range of wines that not only represent McWilliam’s but also the Hunter Valley as a region.”

Phil has judged at Australian capital city and regional wine shows - including Sydney, Canberra, Hunter Valley and Cowra – since 1981.
He has also been on the Board of the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association - Australia's oldest wine association - since 1987. Phil's various roles within the association have included Secretary (present), Vice-President, Chairman of Promotions and Chairman of the Technical Committee.

In addition to more than 25 hands on vintages at Mount Pleasant, Phil has worked vintages in both New Zealand (1981 and 1982) and Bordeaux (1987).

Phil has completed a Diploma in Technology (Science) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry), both from the NSW Institute of Technology; as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science (Oenology and Viticulture) from Charles Sturt University.

His scientific background has made him a leader in modern quality and fermentation control processes, and in the prevention of oxidation and spoilage.

Phil currently lives in Pokolbin, in NSW’s Hunter Valley, just 2kms from the Mount Pleasant Winery where the Ryan family planted its own vineyard in 1988.