Penny Jones is the Winemaker and Manager at Bay of Fires. Born and bred in Hobart, Tasmania, a dedication to food and wine has always been in Penny’s blood. If asked to pick a favourite wine, Penny will tell you there are way too many great and enjoyable wines in the world to pick a favourite and she thoroughly enjoys trying new ones, but her go-to varietal is Chardonnay.
With a background in hospitality, her love for all things food and wine was inevitable, however it was one particular Hobart underground restaurant that really got her hooked on wine. Penny eventually studied winemaking at university in Adelaide and in her final year of study, completed her first vintage in the cellar at Petaluma. After graduating as Dux of Oenology in 2004, she stayed on in the Adelaide Hills to work her way through the ranks of Petaluma, attaining a winemaking position at Petaluma in 2010. During her nine and a half years at Petaluma, Penny completed vintages in Oregon and China and travelled through parts of France, Germany, Scotland, Vietnam, India and the UK. After 13 years away from home, Penny eventually made it back to her home state of Tasmania, where she joined the Bay of Fires team to launch Eddystone Point as Winemaker in 2013.
One of the greatest things for Penny, and the reason she loves being a winemaker is that every day is different, work life is never dull and there are numerous travel opportunities. Penny finds it equally rewarding that the premium wines are the result of well over a year of hard work and commitment, from a passionate and committed team of people. A successful and devoted winemaker, Penny Jones says she has been lucky over her career to work with so many inspirational people. One key role model for Penny is Stephen Gorge, Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir guru from Ashton Hills whose sage advice stays with her still to this day, ‘We’re always learning’.
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