Phil McGahan

Assistant Winemaker

Phil grew up on a grain farm in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, where family gatherings fostered an early appreciation for wine and food. Before pursuing his passion for wine, Phil studied law and practiced as a Solicitor in Brisbane and then worked in legal publishing in Sydney.

It was through his wife Daina, a fellow lawyer, and her family that Phil began to learn about the finer points of wine. “From there my interest developed into a hobby and passion. It’s now a career and way of life,” he says.

He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) degree from Charles Stuart University, Australia, and was Dux of his graduating class.

Working mainly in the Hunter Valley, Phil began in 2003 as a winery intern and advanced to the position of Winemaker. He also worked in California’s Russian River Valley during the 2005 harvest—right here at Williams Selyem. “I loved it and had a desire to return as soon as the opportunity arose. Not many people get to participate in making wines this good.”

Phil came aboard in early 2007 and is enjoying working with a talented production team and fruit of outstanding quality. His interests outside of wine include, no surprise, a good cricket match. “I am Australian after all...”