20Q: Josephine Perry, Dormilona
Dormilona winemaker Josephine Perry took top honours at last week’s coveted ‘Young Guns of Wine Awards’, cementing her growing reputation as one of the true rising stars of modern Australian wine.
Established in 2012, Dormilona produce a mind-blowing range of small-batch, minimal-intervention wines from both organic and biodynamic Margaret River vineyards.
In short, these are some of the most exciting wines we’ve tasted in recent times – wines that convey a sense of place combined with an honesty and style that we think make them uniquely Dormilona.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Jo for a chat a few days before winning her award.
1. What do you do for a living?
Look after my two little ones, Sonny and Clova, plus be there for my man, Jimbo. Consult to clients, and contract winemaking for Perryscope – then there is my other love: Dormilona.
2. Tell us about Dormilona?
Single vineyards, low intervention, Margaret River. Making the fruit shine with little intervention.
3. Who’s had the greatest influence on you?
My grandfather Ol Pol, plus a fellow named Philip Shaw.
4. What got you into wine?
Growing up, one of my jobs was to cycle over to Ol Pol’s house to give him a hand every Wednesday afternoon. He taught me how to ferment. He use to be one of the Brewers at the old Swan Brewery back in the day, so he taught me how to make all sorts of stuff. The very first wine I made was in my science class at high school from a recipe Ol Pol helped me design. I made it out of apricots and it fermented to dryness. I was very happy with the outcome, so I decided to give my mates a tasting on the quad at lunch. Soon I was in detention for the week, and my first two bottles had been confiscated. Later, I did hear that the wine went down well during a staff meeting. Plus, I did receive an A.
5. Where in the world has wine taken you?
Oh dear, everywhere really. I studied my degree by correspondence, so I was able to work, study and travel all in the same breath. I just went where the wine took me. Many, many a vintage throughout France: Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhône. Also, California, New Zealand, Orange (NSW), Germany… Before heading back to home turf, I spent the last seven years in Galicia, Spain, managing two wineries, plus consulting to vineyards in the Canary Islands. Yes, it was a hard move home.
6. You’ve got a Delorean Time Machine for the day. Where are you headed?
Zermatt, Swiss Alps, Jan 2009. Telecabin 88. Have some unfinished business to attend to.
7. Do you have a nickname?
Pezza, Ranga, Yoyo.
8. The biggest myth surrounding wine is…
It’s for the educated.
9. What’s the difference between good wine and great wine?
A great wine is when the stars line up, and it’s one you that will stay with you forever. I reckon wine and making wine is all about your senses: smell, touch, hearing, seeing and tasting.
10. What’s your knock off drink of choice?
Any Mexican beer.
11. The next big thing in wine will be…
‘Pet nat’ in cans, and home wine refills with recyclable vessels.
12. But the wine style we should really be drinking more of is…
Fun wines.
13. If you weren’t making wine, what would you be doing?
Professional snowboarder – ha, I wish!
14. What do you collect?
Cameras.
15. What’s so special about your neck of the woods?
I’m not telling, as I don’t need more neighbours.
16. Whose wines should we be checking out?
Smaller producers who are looking outside the square: Blind Corner, Si Vintners, Express Winemakers, Walsh & Sons, to name a few neighbours.
17. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
Navajas in Galicia.
18. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘Moon Shadow’ by Cat Stevens.
19. The best way to spend a Sunday morning is…
Lying on my surfboard, or just at the beach with my family.
20. Bowie or Marley
Pixies.
PHOTOS – SARAH HEWER
