David trained as a scientist at Monash University. However, his journey to making cool climate wines of excellence goes back to his childhood when his family used to have regular visits to South Australian wineries. David became passionate about Cabernet Sauvignon and after doing a wine course at Charles Sturt University began making Cabernet Sauvignons of excellence in the late 70s in Coonawarra South Australia.
In the early 80’s he tried a 1943 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache and fell in love with the subtle nuances of Pinot Noir. He investigated places to produce Pinot Noir of excellence. Martinborough in New Zealand was studied closely as was Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula and the Adelaide Hills. The search lasted five years and in the meantime David made Pinot Noir for friends in the Yarra Valley as well as consulting to wineries on the Mornington Peninsula. The property now known as Eldridge Estate was planted in 1984 but purchased by David and his late wife Wendy (1954-2014) in April 1995.
The search for a special patch of ground had narrowed to the Mornington Peninsula in 1993 but it took a further 2 years to find a site that faced North, that had the right slope capable of providing the conditions for David to produce the wines of excellence that he sought. David sees this journey as one of learning and evolution and most importantly, listening to what his land tells him.
