Meet the people who love to make your wine.
Richard & Rasa
Rasa and Richard came to the village of Watervale in 2007 after discovering a small “jewel” of a winery called Crabtree. The Crabtree Estate had quietly built an enviable reputation for fine handcrafted wines for over 25 years under the winemaking talents of Robert Crabtree. A formidable reputation to uphold. A talented team was formed and, with loads of passion and enthusiasm, have delivered startling results. Today the Crabtree Winery, with Rasa and Richard at the helm, produces small parcels of award winning, handcrafted wines.
Rasa Fabian – Owner / Manager
Rasa is very much the face of Crabtree today. Rasa has 15 years experience in the wine industry with senior national sales management experience with major corporate wine companies such as Penfolds, Lindemans, Seppelts and Brown Brothers Wines. While the driving force behind the national sales, marketing and finances of this much smaller Crabtree business, Rasa is very much hands on in the winery during vintage often referred to as “Shiraza” for her love of hand plunging red ferments.
Richard Woods – Owner / Manager
With over thirty years in the wine industry, much of his career with large corporate wine companies, Richard has extensive experience in wine sales and marketing management. His passion for small batch, premium regional wines fits perfectly with the Crabtree Winery. Generally found in a happy mood on the forklift and crusher at vintage, Richard does have his moments and was almost awarded the inaugural “Mr Grumpy” T Shirt during last vintage.
Kerri Thompson – Winemaker
After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, South Australia in 1993, KT worked vintages in McLaren Vale, Tuscany Italy, Beaujolais France and the Clare Valley. A passionate advocate for natural forms of farming, celebrating the diversity of Riesling and for the idyllic region of the Clare Valley. KT leads the small Crabtree Crew into each vintage ensuring the wines reflect the season and the unique vineyard sites within the Watervale district. Warning, KT is not to be approached or spoken to until she has had her morning coffee.
Brendan Pudney – Cellar Manager
Brendan is the backbone of the winery and vineyards, ensuring the daily activities run smoothly. His 8 years at Crabtree have given him an intimate understanding of the winery and vineyard idiosyncrasies. Always enthusiastic and very passionate about all things Crabtree, Brendan always has a “Plan B” during vintage hold ups and is referred too as “Chef” when the heat is on.
John Bradley – Cellar & Vineyard
While John’s not looking after his own small Clare Valley vineyard, he’s pitching in at the Crabtree Winery. A long standing member of the crew, John is the quiet achiever, always calm during vintage madness and stoically stands his ground while pruning in the depths of the wildest coldest Watervale winters. The “Mister fix it” of the Crew.
Grant Arnold – Cellar
Grant’s passionate about his small super premium Clare vineyard but manages to help out during the hectic vintage period. For the past 10 years, off and on, Grant turns up at the winery, accompanied by his trusted old red cattle dog, Rebel. His laconic humour and pragmatic approach to vintage keeps the team relaxed and laughing, (that’s Grant’s approach, not the dogs).
Ray Parish – Vineyard
Most of us are thankful in taking a much deserved rest in retirement, not our Ray. At a very youthful 86 years young, Ray Parish still prunes the Crabtree estate vines, many of which he planted some 30 years ago. A legend in the Watervale community and Master Pruner, Ray is renowned for his quick wit, incredible energy and twinkle in his eye.
Peter Lyson – Vineyard
Peter is another long term Crabtree employee, hand pruning vines for over 10 years on the estate. Peter has been under the close tutorial of Master Pruner Ray Parish. He knows every vine by name, all 22,228 of them! When not standing in a vineyard, Pete can be found on secluded piers along the Fleurier Peninsula fishing for squid.
Jackson – Winery Dog
The Crabtree Winery mascot, Jackson hates taking orders. His favourite toys are the expensive, chewy barrel bungs that bounce and bounce. He’s obsessed with UFO’s and loves riding “shotgun” in the ute. His naughtiest deed was using chook feathers as dental floss while they were still attached to their owner.
