At home in Victoria's oldest wine region
Travers Graham, General Manager
Travers is the eldest child of founders Steve and Margaret Graham. After completing a degree in Business and International Trade, Travers ran his own successful consulting company for the better part of 20 years. Like many, Trav had what he refers to as his 'mid-life career crisis' in his early 40’s. “I was tired of the corporate world and sick of the suit and tie. I felt like a mouse on a treadmill. Something was missing from my life, the enjoyment and beauty”.
Keen for a total change and seeking a new challenge, Trav transitioned away from his consulting business and took over the running and overall management of Boat O’Craigo in 2015, and has been the captain of the ship (or Boat) ever since. “We are farmers and craftsmen at our core. The vineyards are a place of great beauty and joy for me. I love the variety of my role, no two days are the same. Perhaps most of all, I love the people and characters involved in each and every stage of the process. We are truly blessed to have a team of incredibly talented and passionate people with us, many of whom have been with us on most of our journey. It is my job and privilege to work with these beautiful people, to pull everybody together and to take the business forward in new and exciting directions”.
We work closely with our winemakers to ensure the style of each wine reflects not only the varietal characteristics, but also the natural terroir of our vineyards, an expression of our place in the Yarra Valley region, and a testament to the care and quality of our brand.
Winemaker
Growing up in Healesville, Rob started his winemaking career at Yarra Ridge and Punt Road before landing the role of Winemaker at Mount Mary where he polished his skills and achieved great things. After 10 years at Mount Mary, Rob then moved across to Kellybrook which also enabled him to start up his own label, Rob Hall Wines.
Vineyard Manager
A move to Healesville in 1990 saw Andrew progress into the wine industry through study, vineyard development, management and then into contracting, working with many iconic Yarra Valley vineyards (including Boat O’Craigo). A fill in role to manage harvest 2013 at Boat O’Craigo has kept him here since.
Cellar Door Manager
A Cabinetmaker by trade, Jason's passion for wine developed watching his Italian grandfather make his own wine. After working in his family's business, Jason turned his interest into a career, commencing at Nillumbik Cellars in 2012, developing his knowledge of wine regions across the world.
Following a transition to front of house, Jason took on the position of Cellar Door Manager at Helen and Joey Estate, until a move to Boat O'Craigo in 2020. Since then, Jason and the crew have worked hard to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in cellar door.
Operations Manager & Marketing
Ange began her career in the wine industry in 2000 at Plunkett Wines in Victoria's Strathbogie Ranges. After working a vintage or two as a Cellar Hand in the winery, her role changed to incorporate Cellar Door Sales and Brand Manager.
In 2006, after moving back home to the Yarra Valley, Ange was employed by Boat O'Craigo to take over their Sales and Marketing and has been involved in many aspects of the business ever since.
Wine Club Manager & Marketing
Having left her corporate life in Marketing and Communications in the great COVID resignation of 2020, Tailem explored a long time passion in the wine industry and studied with Master of Wine, Meg Brodtmann. She holds her WSET Level 2 with Distinction.
A promotion to Wine Club Manager & Marketing in 2022, Tailem's unique skill-set and focus on developing positive customer relationships is a wonderful asset to our leadership team.
Event Manager & 2IC
Introducing the newest member of the Boat O crew, Jaimee Petersen, taking on the role of Event Manager and Cellar Door 2IC. Jaimee joins the team with a diverse background and is looking to expand her skills and interests into hospitality.
At heart, Jaimee is a self-confessed 'chardy girl through and through', but like her personality, can frequently be seen in the wild with a glass of bubbles at the end of a big busy day.
With 50 acres of vines spanning across two stunning sites in Healesville and Kangaroo Ground, Boat O’Craigo is proud to produce outstanding estate grown wines across a range of noble varieties.
Nestled in the foothills of the Black Spur Range, our cooler and more sheltered vineyard site in Healesville lies on alluvial river gravel soils and celebrates perfect growing conditions for our early ripening varieties of Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, alongside our only red varietal on the site, Pinot Noir.
A warmer site on the western edge of the valley, Kangaroo Ground harbours rich black volcanic, basalt soils, and North East facing slopes, giving it maximum opportunities for sunshine. It is the home of our Black Cameron Shiraz, Braveheart Cabernet Sauvignon and Kincardine Grenache.
Our winery’s distinctive name echoes that given to a family farm in the town of Craigo in Scotland where our ancestors, all agriculturalists and pioneers in the early evolution of Scotland, settled alongside the docking point for the ferry that crossed the North Esk River. The Boat O’Craigo name and tradition have drifted across seas to settle and book-end Victoria’s burgeoning Yarra Valley with two magnificent vineyards, one in Healesville and the other in Kangaroo Ground. One red, the other white.
As with the ferry’s docking-point, it is here at the gateways to the Yarra Valley that the physical journey of our travels ends, although the journey of the senses is only just beginning.
