Wine
Meet Greg Walls - Founder of Wine Selectors
Longevity is the greatest testament to quality. When a company reaches 50 years, it’s not just a milestone—it’s a legacy. At the helm of Wine Selectors, a brand that has shaped the Australian wine landscape, stands its founder and CEO, Greg Walls, a man whose passion for wine runs generations deep.
Inducted as a Hunter Valley Living Legend in 2018, Greg’s journey with wine is a tale of heritage, vision, and relentless dedication.
Greg outside Wine Selectors HQ in Honeysuckle
Wine is in my blood!. My heritage from my mother’s French family goes back to 1610 — vignerons in Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy, for over 400 years. Wine was always an accompaniment to our family’s main meal and an integral part of my formative years.
It’s this deep-rooted connection that ignited his vision for Wine Selectors.
From Hunter Valley Wine Society to nationwide phenomena, Wine Selectors
Greg’s foray into the industry began with the founding of the Hunter Valley Wine Society in 1975.
With the emerging interest in wine in the 1970s and the Hunter Valley gaining recognition as a premium region, I saw an opportunity. At the time, there were 45 wineries in the Hunter, and I wanted to promote them under one banner.
By the mid-1980s, Australia’s wine culture had transformed, setting the stage for a national expansion. What began as a regional initiative soon evolved into Wine Selectors, championing Australian wine and giving people across the country access to the finest bottles from every region.
Today, Wine Selectors boasts over 200,000 members, a community of wine lovers who not only receive expertly curated selections but also engage in a deeper, more personal wine experience — one that extends beyond the bottle.
At the heart of this success is the Wine Selectors Tasting Panel.
We have one of the most experienced Tasting Panel in the Australian wine industry. Comprised of winemakers, wine show judges, buyers, educators, and sommeliers, we ensure that our members get to experience the true diversity of Australian wine.
The Greg Walls Story: Five Decades of Dedication
As Wine Selectors marks its 50th anniversary, we chatted with Greg Walls over a glass of wine as he reflected on his journey and the remarkable evolution of both the business and the industry.
Q. What is your favourite part of leading Wine Selectors?
Without a doubt, the people. From our dedicated team, whose expertise and skills make this possible, to the 500+ winemakers who have joined the Wine Selectors banner, and of course, the members—wine lovers whose enthusiasm drives us forward.
Q. What is your mission at Wine Selectors?
To provide our members with an exceptional wine, food, and lifestyle experience. Our focus has always been on beautifully crafted wines, where you can taste the winemaker in every drop.
Q. What have been some of the most memorable highlights?
There are many, but it always comes back to people:
- Working with people like Rob Jones and Anne-Marie Able, who have been with the company for over 45 years.
- The legendary winemaker, Karl Stockhausen, joining our Tasting Panel as Chairman from 1996 to 2019. Karl made some of the most iconic Hunter Valley wines.
- Lyndey Milan, one of Australia’s most recognised food and wine personalities, collaborating with Selector magazine for three decades.
- The countless wine producers who have embraced the Wine Selectors vision—many for over 40 years.
- And, of course, all those who contribute to Selector magazine, where we have the privilege of sharing their stories and shaping a unique wine lifestyle experience.
Q. Do you have a favourite wine or wine region?
This is an easy answer—and a tricky one! With over 500 winemakers providing wines, there’s always something new and exciting. So, I’d say… my favourite wine and region? The next wine I get to enjoy. That’s the beauty of discovery.
Q. How do you best enjoy wine?
Always with food. As a sundowner with a snack, while preparing dinner, and, of course, paired perfectly with a meal. It’s about the harmony between wine and food.
Looking Forward: The Next 50 Years
When asked about the future and the significance of Wine Selectors leading the charge over the last 50 years, Greg remarks, “The past 50 years have been extraordinary. But what excites me most is continuing to provide an alternative to the corporate culture that’s slowly eroding the bonds of family, connection, and quality that have always been at the heart of Australian wine.”
We’re not satisfied with big business commoditising and dominating our taste buds. The wine producers we work with strive for excellence — they craft wines that reflect their passion, their land, and their artistry. That’s what we want to keep sharing with the world.
With half a century of passion, people, and pioneering spirit, Wine Selectors isn’t just looking ahead; it’s toasting to a future fuelled by excellence, innovation, and the exciting wines yet to come.