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Matt Burton
Matt holds a Bachelor of Wine Science and Graduate Diploma of Business Administration from Charles Sturt University. He has been involved at various levels of winemaking and wine business management for the last twenty years. Starting out as a Trainee Winemaker in the Hunter Valley, Matt then gained invaluable experience making wine in the United States and France before heading to Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley. In 2003, he finally settled in the Hunter Valley where he was ultimately promoted to the dual role of Winemaker and General Manager at a leading boutique winery. In 2011, Matt decided to step out and establish the Gundog Estate wine business and cellar door. Under Matt’s management and winemaking, Gundog Estate has consistently been awarded a prestigious five-star winery rating from Australia’s leading wine critic — James Halliday. During his time in the Hunter, Matt’s wines have gained many accolades. In 2010, Matt was recognised as the “Hunter Valley’s Rising Star,” and in 2021, finalist for the Gourmet Traveller Australian Winemaker of the Year.
Geoff Burton
Geoff Burton is a veteran of the Australian film and television industries where he has worked as a cinematographer and director on over fifty Australian feature films and hundreds of television dramas and documentaries. His first feature film was SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY and the most recent BLESSED. He claims it was during the early years of his career when travelling extensively overseas that he came to discover the delights of fine food and wine. Living and working as a freelance film maker in Europe turned him into an obsessive Francophile with a passion for the wines of the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux regions.
Sharon Bell
Sharon Bell is an anthropologist and academic with a distinguished career working in Australian universities. It was during her years of field research for her PhD in Asia that introduced her to the diversity of national cuisines and the development of a life-long interest in innovative food and wine. Sharon Bell is also a documentary filmmaker and the production company she set up with Geoff Burton in the 1970’s continues to produce quality films for the international market.
Karl Marx (the gundog)
The canine member of the family is the Cocker Spaniel and failed gundog Karl Marx. He hates the sound of gunfire, but successfully bothers the rabbits on the vineyard and provides the model for our GUNDOG ESTATE label.
