News & Blog

“I am currently at Rockford Wines where I have been working since I finished up with uni. I’ve been fortunate enough that they allow me to work for them while I’m in Australia, but also allow me to travel and work in other wineries around the world to gain experience. It’s the perfect scenario to have a home base like Rockford, it’s a great place to work.

2017 and 2018 were big years for me post-uni. I did vintage at Rockford at the beginning of 2017 (which itself was a marathon!) then headed off to Spain for vintage there. After that I travelled across Europe, London, America and Mexico before coming home for vintage 2018. I was lucky to get the opportunity to work at Yalumba as the night-time red winemaker which was a very big step and also the best learning experience for me. After that I came back to Rockford for the winter months before jet setting once again to America for vintage.

Now I’m back at Rockford organising my visa to go and work in France for the second half of this year – I won’t die wondering that’s for sure!

The scholarship was the best thing for me to just take the stress away from being able to afford to live in Adelaide. It gave me the chance to take one less shift at work and to spend that time where it was necessary for me.”

Thanks James for the update – it certainly sounds like you are making the most of your opportunities!

If you are considering tertiary education in 2020, applications for the Thomas Scholarship open in June.