Hi, I’m Emma White, a proud Pom from Essex who came to Australia 25 years ago for what was meant to be a two-year adventure with my husband.
We arrived as accountants but stayed for the lifestyle, the people… and eventually, the wine.
Somewhere along the way, the Hunter Valley stole my heart; the romance of the vines, the energy of harvest, and the simple joy of sharing a great bottle with good company.
Now, as the owner of Latitude 32 Wines, working exclusively with local fruit we grow, I’m thrilled to be the Newcastle Weekly’s new wine contributor.
So how does an accountant break into the wine industry?
After a 25+ year career in corporate accounting, there was no neat front door into wine for me, I jumped the fence and learned fast. I loved drinking wine and thought “why not help shape what I drink?”
That meant buying vineyards, getting hands-on in the dirt, employing incredibly talented people who have been in the industry longer than I’ve lived in Australia, and formally studying wine so I truly understood what was in my glass.
From harvest to hospitality, I immersed myself in it all.
Wine was my obsession long before it became my business. I was the curious consumer first; tasting, travelling, asking questions and happily falling down the rabbit hole.
Completing my formal wine studies was really important because understanding what you’re drinking makes it even more enjoyable.
Did you know there are more than 1,300 grape varieties used in winemaking around the world?
So, next time you pour yourself a glass, it’s worth asking… what exactly am I drinking?
Why I’m writing about wine
I’m really excited to be writing this column, because I live and breathe wine: as a vineyard owner, cellar door host, student of wine and, most importantly, a consumer who still gets excited opening a bottle.
I care deeply about making wine accessible, relevant and fun, without losing the craftsmanship behind it.
Because it really shouldn’t be that complicated!
My winery and cellar door
At Latitude 32, our mantra is Fun with Serious Intent. The wines are premium, estate-grown and made on site.
The experience? Relaxed, welcoming and full of personality, think food pairings (our signature wine and dumpling experience is a hit with locals and tourists), interactive tastings and zero intimidation.
Exceptional wine doesn’t need to be cellared and poured in expensive glassware on white tables clothes, but it should always be made with care.
You’ll find us in Pokolbin on Hermitage Road, the kind of place where you arrive for a tasting and somehow stay all afternoon.
As Newcastle Weekly’s new wine contributor, tell me what you want to read about next — local finds, how to taste, what to order at a restaurant, or what’s trending right now.
Email me at [email protected] and I’ll tackle your questions in future columns.
And until then: always have a glass in hand (responsibly, of course…).
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