John Retsas
With European parents, wine was served at the table with every meal. Everyone was encouraged to drink a glass of the wine that my family made. They were really dodgy reds, often made from McLaren Vale Grenache. I can still recall several vats, an old bath tub & even the 8ft fibreglass dingy spread out across the backyard during vintage. These unlikely vessels were used to ferment the rich deep purple fruit that I was totally fascinated with. This exposure to wine & winemaking at an early age has seen my fascination grow into a passion, that is now my life.

Name: John Retsas (aka JR)
DOB: 7th September 1968
POB: Ceduna, South Australia

Position: Marketeer and musketeer

Experience: Former oil tycoon and GM of Chain of Ponds in the Adelaide Hills and Schild Estate in the the Barossa

Ambitions: Make great kit & have fun doing it!

Favourite Holiday Destinations: Sellicks Beach, South Australia; Santorini, Greece; Shangers

Best Dining Experiences: House of Chow - (private banquet with David & Roz); Piazza duomo, Alba Piedmont, Italy; Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant - Sai Kung (Honkers); any Greek Island waterfront taverna

Top Drinking Holes: Valley Hotel; The Port Club - Alberton Oval ('It's a great feeling being in the heartland!'); Juveniles, Paris; KTV - Shanghai; Paradise Beach bar - Mykonos

Drink of Choice: Coopers Pale Ale, Aussie Shiraz, Vodka Red Bull, French Fizz

Favourite Wine Producers: Charlie Melton; Ben Glaetzer; Tim Smith ('Told you I love Aussie Shiraz!')

Interests (other than wine): Espresso, alcohol, AFL ('Never miss a home Port Power game'); dish lickers; cooking for mates; bird watching at Glenelg

All time Favourite Footballers: Stephen 'Bomber' Clifford, Russell Ebert, Peter Motley

Dislikes: politicians, corporate evangelists, hangovers, wine wankers, exercise, stress, losing to the Crows

Likes: motivated people, boat trips, friendly air hostesses, Spanish women, beating the Crows

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