Matt Wenk Winemaker / Director

Trish Wenk Director

Matt Wenk is the Winemaker and a Director and of Smidge Wines, a micro-producer specialising in small volume super premium Australian Wine. Smidge has been a vision of Matt's since his days at Roseworthy and since then, this vision has turned to reality as he has been quietly and meticulously developing wine of his own.

Matt is a self confessed perfectionist and the care and attention he gives to each wine from the vine to the table reflects his passion for the liquid gold he creates. Each year his wines continue to capture the balance between science and art, traits which have quickly developed his signature for creating exceptional quality, fruit driven, exciting wines.

Matt is perhaps best known for his role as the Chief Winemaker at the much lauded and awarded Two Hands in South Australia's Barossa Valley, where he continues their reputation for making some of Australia's most outstanding wine.

Prior to joining the Two Hands team, Matt was a Winemaker and Production Manager with Nepenthe Wines. Matt attributes many of his wine making practices today to the experience, example and perspectives he gained working closely with Peter Leske, and winemakers such as Tim Knappstien.

Matt's contribution and success at both Two Hands and Nepenthe has been recognised through a number of awarded wines both at home and internationally, and extended to his selection as only one of 10 Australians to participate in the 2002, five day Len Evans Residential Tutorial program in the Hunter Valley. Most recently he was also named as an emerging star of the Australian wine industry.

Outside of this Matt has also worked in the Hunter Valley, Languedoc in the South of France and in the Sonoma Valley in California. He has an Under Graduate and Honours Degree in Agricultural Science, Oenology from The University of Adelaide where he completed his thesis on successfully improving the efficiency of yeast during the fermentation process.

Matt lives in Adelaide with his wife Trish, and 3 children Eliza, Oscar & Airlie. He is a keen all-round sportsman, and when ever vintage and the wine allows it, he'll be found at the beach at Goolwa or on a golf course nearby.

Trish Wenk As a partner in the Smidge Venture, Trish's role varies from cellar hand, to sales and marketing, and Managing Director, and although a relatively new entrant to the wine industry she has embraced Smidge's obsession for excellence and the passion to create it.

With a background outside the Wine industry, Trish brings a depth of experience in business development, planning and global marketing which lends itself well to the challenges of a new wine producer. Before Smidging, Trish developed her career in the IT Industry at one of the worlds largest IT Services companies.   Trish made her mark on the IT industry within a short time and held regional and global appointments including the Asia Pacific Director for Marketing & Business Planning, & Global Marketing Director for Offshore Applications Capabilities. She has participated in business mentoring programs, and is often sought after to present at industry conferences and educational forums. In 2000, Trish graduated as ‘Sales Institute Top Performer' from the EDS Global Sales Institute, and in 2003 was a finalist in the Australian Young Business Woman of the Year.

Trish holds a bachelor of business degree in marketing and finance, and is part way through a masters degree in business administration.

Trish lives in Adelaide with Smidge Partner and husband Matt, and 3 children Eliza, Oscar & Airlie.