This episode is the second half of our interview with Elena Brooks, the winemaker for Dandelion, Sister’s Run, and Heirloom Vineyards. Part 1 tells the story of Elena’s upbringing in communist Bulgaria and how she moved to Australia and started her own wine label in her early twenties. This episode, Part 2, covers Elena’s ambition with Dandelion, the challenges and opportunities that exist today within the Australian wine scene, and the region Elena believes should have ‘Grand Cru’ status.

At the time she started Dandelion, the trend in Australia was big, bold red wines. Elena launched Dandelion to tell a new story, one of acid and tannin and aroma over fruit and alcohol alone. She was also trying to tell the story of place and regional diversity, which she believes is paramount if Australia wants to compete globally.

While Australian wine today faces plenty of challenges, Elena’s perspective is one of gratitude to be making history, writing the playbook for Australian wines alongside an incredibly talented cohort of peers in the industry. Changing the narrative has always been Elena’s drive. When she started Dandelion 17 years ago, she had one lofty mission: to change peoples’ palates.

01:19 Boutique Wines and Changing Palates

01:50 Wine as a Storytelling Medium

03:05 Food and Wine Culture

05:14 The Aspirational Journey of Wine

09:18 Exploring Unique Vineyards

14:37 Eden Valley's Signature Riesling

17:49 Challenges in the Australian Wine Industry

20:16 Opportunities in the Australian Wine Industry

21:03 Trust Your Palate

Hosted by Charlotte Alsaadi.

Special thanks to SNACKTIME for the music!

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