Memento Wines

The story of Memento Wines is in large part the story of Roy Dempsey (1930-2010), the late grandfather of winemaker Jonathon 'Jono' Thompson. Dempsey left school at the age of 14 in 1944 to work with his father in the famous Burgoynes vineyard in Rutherglen, and devoted the next 66 years to working the vineyards and wineries of the region, often with his young grandson by his side. Young Jono followed in his footsteps, first in viticulture and then in winemaking at Rutherglen Estates before going on to work extended stints in California and in Italy at Alberto Antonini’s Poggiotondo in Chianti. In 2015 he re-joined Rutherglen Estates. Two years later he teamed up with business partners, Kirby and Luke Heyme, to form Memento Wines. A working winery is now being established on the same land where Jono’s grandfather Roy dabbled in winemaking in a shed, producing wines for family and friends. And so, the Dempsey wine story turns full circle. -JENI PORT