Wine
Women in Wine: Suzanne Little
SUZANNE LITTLE – CO-OWNER AND WINEMAKER
Suzanne Little's foray into winemaking wasn't just a career choice; it was inspired by family ties and the allure of her cousin Jan McIntosh, a winemaker at Wynn’s in Coonawarra. At just 16, Suzanne was captivated by her cousin's cool factor and decided to follow in her footsteps. By 17, she had left school and embarked on her winemaking career at Katnook Estate in Coonawarra.
A love for winemaking saw Suzanne complete a degree in Wine Science at Charles Sturt University and settle in the Hunter Valley, eventually holding the position of Senior Winemaker at Rosemount Estate. Her departure from Rosemount in 2000 marked the beginning of a collaborative venture with her winemaker husband, Ian. Establishing and building The Little Wine Company with him stands out as a crowning achievement in her professional journey.
How did you get started in the industry, and what inspired you to become a winemaker?
When I was 16, my cousin Jan McIntosh came to visit. At the time she was a winemaker with Wynn’s in Coonawarra. I thought she was super cool (she still is), so I decided to be a winemaker too. So when I was 17, I finished school and moved to Coonawarra to work for Katnook Estate.
What are you most excited about in the Australian wine industry right now?
That’s a tough one, there is a lot of angst in the industry right with the demand / supply imbalance, but I’m an optimist. As an industry, we are a very resilient and innovative lot and believe that quality and the greater emphasis on regionality and sustainability will see us through. There will be some big adjustments over the next few years, but the industry will come out the other side in much better shape.
What are some of your favourite highlights throughout your career as a woman in wine?
Ian, my husband and fellow winemaker, and I started our own label 23 years ago with two small kids and absolutely zero money behind us. We faced some massive challenges along the way but we’ve managed to build a winery, a cellar door (soon to be two!) and a brand that we’re really proud of.