Fragos named CEO and chief winemaker at Haselgrove

Haselgrove Wines has appointed Michael Fragos as chief executive officer and chief winemaker.

Fragos – fresh from a long and noteworthy tenure at Chapel Hill, and who was caught up in the Endeavour restructure – takes over from Christophe Forel, who held the CEO role for 11 years. In the new position Fragos will work alongside the winery's long-serving senior winemaker, Andrew Locke.

Announcing the appointment, Haselgrove pointed to Fragos's reputation and winemaking experience in backing him to lead the business into its next phase. The company thanked Forel for his tenure, during which it said Haselgrove had grown while strengthening its premium reputation and its relationships with customers, distributors and industry partners.

A McLaren Vale native, Fragos grew up on a local vineyard and has 37 vintages behind him. He worked at Tatachilla in the 1990s – alongside three of Haselgrove's current co-owners: Steve Maglieri, Don Luca, and Tony Carrocci – before his long tenure at Chapel Hill, and chairs the McLaren Vale Districts Working Group. The winery's chairman, Don Totino, whom Fragos once advised on an Adelaide Hills vineyard, called the timing of the appointment "almost blessed," coinciding with Forel's move out of the industry.

“I am incredibly proud to have been entrusted by Haselgrove to lead this wonderful winery. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to help shape all aspects of the business. Leading wineries has always been my passion, and Haselgrove offers a truly unique opportunity with its exceptional vineyard, well-equipped winery, and rooftop cellar door,” Michael said.

—

Photo (supplied): Don Totino (Chairman), Michael Fragos and Andrew Locke at the Haelgrove winery ion McLaren Vale.