Our Winemakers

Jacob Stein, chief winemaker at Robert Stein Winery, is the third generation of the Stein family to be winemaker since the Vineyard was established in 1976 by his grandfather Robert ‘Bob’ Stein.

Jacob Stein

Having completed his Viticulture and Winemaking Degree in 2005, Jacob then proceeded to spend the next 4.5 years travelling and working in different wine regions around the world furthering his winemaking knowledge. During this time he worked vintages in Germany, Italy, Canada, Western Australia and Victoria as he followed vintages from Southern Hemisphere to Northern Hemisphere. It was while working the long vintages in Germany that Jacob discovered a real passion for Riesling. This passion for Riesling developed further when working in, and making wines from, the same vineyards in Germany as his ancestors of 8 generations earlier had.

In 2009 Jacob returned to Mudgee to take up the winemaking role at the family winery. Since arriving back to Mudgee Jacob has continued his love affair with Riesling, which resulted in the Robert Stein Rieslings fast becoming known as one of NSW’s best examples of this varietal. The release of the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Shiraz blend, combined with the high quality Rieslings, was the deciding factor in his being awarded the Gourmet Traveller Young Winemaker of the Year for 2012.

Since achieving this award Jacob has continued to produce award winning wines, which have seen the winery attain a Red 5 star rating with James Halliday Wine Companion. Given his enviable list of awards, one would think the best is yet to come from this young winemaker.


JACOB STEIN’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2024

The Douglas Lamb Perpetual Trophy for Best Riesling - 2017 Robert Stein Riesling

The RAS of NSW Annual Prize for Best Current Vintage White - 2024 Robert Stein Dry Riesling

The NSW Department of Primary Industries James Busby Perpetual Trophy for Best NSW Wine - 2023 Robert Stein ‘Reserve’ Riesling

2019 - 2021

Awarded the Douglas Lamb Perpetual Trophy for best Riesling at the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show in 2019 & 2021 (noting that there was no show in 2020)

2017 - 2021

Awarded Winemaker of the Year at the Mudgee Wine Show 2017 - 2019 & 2021

2016

2016 Riesling awarded 6 Golds and 2 trophies at Regional, State and National wine shows, including an Elite Gold (96pts) at 2016 International Riesling Challenge.

2016

Half Dry Riesling award Gold, and trophy for Best Riesling at Australian Highlands Wineshow

2016

2009 Riesling awarded Gold, and trophy for Australia’s Best Museum Riesling at the 2016 International Riesling Challenge

2015

The 2015 Half Dry Riesling awarded Champion Wine Of Show at Mudgee Wine Show

2014

The 2014 Reserve Riesling awarded Champion Wine Of Show at Mudgee Wine Show

2012

Gourmet Traveller Young Winemaker of the Year

2011

International Up and Coming Riesling Winemaker – Canberra International Riesling Challenge

SINCE 2011

Robert Stein Winery has been continuously awarded a James Halliday 5 Star rating

2009, 2010, 2011

Mudgee Wine Show Most Successful Exhibitor

2010

The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year Finalist

Lisa Bray

After growing up in Sydney, Lisa felt the country calling her. Making the challenging decision to move away and build a new career, Lisa completed a Bachelor of Science (Oenology) in 2002 and started her career in winemaking in Mudgee in 2003.

Lisa then went on to complete vintages in Germany, New Zealand, Turkey and the Hunter Valley which have all played a pivotal role in expanding her knowledge base and in shaping her winemaking career.

Lisa now has 22 vintages under her belt, with 19 of those in the Mudgee region. She is extremely passionate about the area and believes that it is a diverse region, producing premium wines with character.