DANNY SHUSTER

Having always been interested in nature and agriculture, I decided to pursue my passions. I gained my degree in Viticulture and Vinification from Charles University in Melnick, Prague in 1969. Over the years I have undertaken numerous roles as a viticulture consultant for major companies throughout the world. The desire to increase my knowledge has driven me to carry out interesting research in the field of viticulture, some of which has been a determining factor in achieving prestigious awards at international level. With European training, and experience of both old and new worlds, my greatest ambition is to combine tradition and innovation, discovering along the way that there are many more questions than answers, both in the vineyard and in the wine cellar. This was the motivation that led me to join with my friends and companions of vineyard and life, Andrea Paoletti and Laura Bernini, to set up Aminea in 2001.

1970-1972 Research winemaker for Seppelts Winery in southern Australia and Stellenbosch Farmers Winery in South Africa from 1972 to 1974.

1974-1976 Practical experience in the vineyards/wine cellars of Bordeaux (Moueix family) and Burgundy (Leflaive family) and research in the laboratories of the Neustadt and Geisenheim research institutes.

1974-1982 Visiting lecturer at Lincoln University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and pioneer of research on wine on New Zealand’s South Island.

1978-1985 Winemaker for Canterbury’s first winery St Helena Wine Estate in Christchurch (First gold medal for NZ Pinot Noir at the national competition in 1983).

Oenologist for Canterbury’s first winery, St Helena Wine Estate in Christchurch 1978-1985 (First gold medal for NZ Pinot noir at the national competition in 1983).

Owner of and winemaker for Daniel Schuster Wines in Waipara, North Canterbury from 1986 to 2009 (awarded the trophy for best Pinot Noir and best red wine in the Tokyo New World Wine Challenge in 2008).

Consultant since 1985 for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Arrayo, Bella Oaks, Martha’s Vineyard, Vieder, Niebaum-Coppola Estate, Spottswoode, Moraga.

Consultant since 1995 for the Tenuta Ornellaia vineyard in Tuscany.

Author of numerous books on viticulture and vinification in cold climates.

Co-author with professor M. Fregoni and A. Paoletti of Terroir - Zonazione - Viticoltura (‘Terroir, Zonation,Viticulture’), Italy 2004.

Awarded a permanent exhibition in 2002 at the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution of Washington D.C. for my contribution to the evolution of the modern industry of Californian wine.

Vineyard/wine consultant for Stonyridge, Hay Paddock, Jurassic Ridge and the Man O’ War Vineyard on Waiheke Island, New Zealand from 2009 to today.