Our People & Our Team







Our partners, Sean Edwards, Rob Stanway and Matt Lawson are highly innovative and intuitive risk takers; the perfect partnership underpinning Kirrihill. Their heritage has been deeply connected with Clare Valley for generations and their complementary expertise in business along with their unified commitment to making the best wine possible has seen them successfully grow Kirrihill to the brand it is today.

Sean Edwards

Sean's great-grandparents settled in Clare in the 1860s, and over the generations the Edwards clan has owned local pubs, grocery and retail stores in Clare and has made a significant contribution to the region.

The family ran a farm combining cropping with sheep and cattle, which included planting Riesling and Grenache vines in 1966, with the help and advice from their friend, Mick Knappstein. 

As a proud fifth generation member of the Clare community, Sean's dream as a young adult, ‘’was to grow and make wine that was internationally recognised and take us around the world.’’

Rob Stanway

Rob’s connection with the region began in the 1940s when his grandparents moved to Clare. In the late 1970s, Rob worked with his parents, Brian andRaelene, toplant Riesling vineyards in Watervale. Brian would often wax lyrical about the beauty and elegance of Riesling and aspired to grow the best there was. Rob now continues his father's legacy and the same Riesling vineyard has become an icon, with the finest fruit selected for Kirrihill’s flagship Riesling; E.B. Gleeson ‘The Settler’. 

‘’When it comes to grape cultivation you have to let go of the ego. During vintage there’s a pretty small window to pick and the picking times makes a huge difference to the end result. Patience, humility and acceptance all come into play’’. 

Matt Lawson

Matt Lawson joined the Kirrihill family as the third partner in 2017 after working in the business for 10 years as CEO. With over 25 years’ experience in wine, Matt is an industry leader across commercial partnerships, winery operations, global markets and sales. Originally from Adelaide with a family history in agriculture dating back to the 1800’s, Matt and his family now call Clare Valley home, happily settled amongst their 25-acre vineyard block.

Alexandra Wardlaw

Our winemaker, Alexandra, is from the Champagne region in France and joined the Kirrihill family in 2018. First starting as a vintage casual, she worked her way up to lab technician and finally to winemaker, leading the winemaking team for vintage in 2023.

Alexandra honed her craft with vintages spent in Champagne, Provence, and the Napa Valley. Aspiring to become a wine show judge, she completed her Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC) in 2021 to become a sharper taster whilst better equipping herself with judging techniques and practices.

Along with judging at national and regional shows, Alexandra was a participant in the Next Crop Leadership Program of 2022 which focused on sustainability in the wine industry and is also a member of the Clare Wine Show Committee.

The vibrant and juicy Kirrihill Nero d’Avola is her favourite go to and at social gatherings you’re sure to find her with a glass paired with a delicious ripe camembert.

Our Team

Our team, with their passion, commitment and expertise are so important to everything we do, to the wines we make and the success we share. Our winemakers, cellar hands and teams in marketing, sales and administration and finance, ensure we are able to craft fabulous wines and innovate, work sustainably, grow and deliver on our potential, while contributing to the community.

WINERY
948 Farrell Flat Road,
HILL RIVER, Clare
South Australia, 5453
T: +61 8 8842 1233
E: cellar@kirrihill.com.au
POSTAL ADDRESS
PO Box 7751
CLARE
South Australia 5453

Kirrihill acknowledges the land on which we grow our grapes, produce our wine and live our lives. We recognise the Ngadjuri people’s connection to land, water and community and pay respect to the Ngadjuri Elders past, present and emerging.

Warning: Under the Liquor Control Act 1988, it is an offence: to sell or supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years on licensed or regulated premises; or for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase, or attempt to purchase, liquor on licensed or regulated premises.

Kirrihill supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol.

Liquor Licence Number: 50804925 | ABN 91 081 787 500