About the Winemaker
Steffi Snook | Yayoi Wines
Born and raised in New Zealand’s acclaimed Central Otago wine region, Steffi Yayoi Snook discovered her love for winemaking during a school trip to a local vineyard. After moving to Melbourne at 19, she immersed herself in the city’s dynamic hospitality scene, working at renowned restaurants like Rockpool, Vue De Monde, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. These experiences exposed her to some of the world’s greatest wines and deepened her passion for the craft.
Her winemaking journey began on the coast of Victoria, where she worked her first vintage at Bannockburn Vineyard in Geelong. She later pursued formal training with a Diploma in Wine Technology and found mentorship at Lethbridge Wines, where Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis encouraged her to create her own wines. Steffi’s dream is to one day establish her own vineyard dedicated to Chenin Blanc in Victoria, and honestly that sounds like our kind of dream too!
