MEET KYM SCHROETER
CUSTODIAN OF PENFOLDS ESTEEMED WHITE WINES
Kym Schroeter doesn’t seek the spotlight, but his wines tend to find it anyway. With more than 38 vintages behind him and a deep familial connection to Penfolds, Schroeter has quietly shaped some of Australia’s most lauded Chardonnays, including Yattarna. Under his custodianship, the flagship white has reached rarefied status, earning a perfect 100-point score for the 2021 vintage. A milestone that reflects not only Schroeter’s expertise and heart-led approach, but also the shared vision, rigour and talent of the entire Penfolds collective. Under his and the team’s guidance, Penfolds white wines continue to embody purity, finesse, and remarkable cellaring potential.
Coming from a family of Penfolds winemakers, did you ever consider a different path, or was Penfolds inevitable?
In high school, I initially wanted to be a carpenter, but as I got closer to finishing, I became really interested in the laboratory and redirected my focus to wine. I applied for Laboratory Technician roles at Penfolds and Yalumba and was offered both, but since my brother and uncle were already working at Penfolds, and it was closer to home, Penfolds seemed the natural choice.
Who and what were the most significant influences in your winemaking journey?
Two of my biggest influences were Steve Lienert and John Bird. I was pretty quiet when I started out, but I relied on every sense, observing, tasting and listening – absorbing as much knowledge and advice as I could from these two Penfolds legends.
Since joining Penfolds in the ‘80s, how has your personal winemaking philosophy evolved with the brand?
In my early years, I was fairly clinical and, dare I say it, recipe-driven, playing it safe in my comfort zone. Over time, I’ve become more daring, trialing new techniques and sometimes taking white winemaking right to the edge to create wines of greater complexity and interest. I’m still in a comfort zone, but a different one from 25 years ago. These days, most of my decisions are led from the heart and guided by instinct.
Yattarna and Reserve Bin A have thrived under your custodianship – what’s the secret to their enduring success?
I think these are styles the savvy drinker enjoys. Stylistically, the two couldn’t be more different: Yattarna offers purity, line, tension and precision, while Reserve Bin A brings layers, texture, weight and complexity. I often have people say to me, ‘I like Yattarna,’ or ‘Bin A is more my style,’ and that friendly rivalry between the two wines makes it all the more engaging. People are offered a choice depending on their style preference or what they’re eating.
How does Yattarna evolve in the bottle over the years in the cellar, and what should collectors look for as it ages?
Yattarna ages slowly. On release, it can be quite closed and reserved, so we often recommend decanting to help it open up and reveal more of its character. I usually say the sweet spot for drinking Yattarna is between three and six years, when all its elements have had time to come together. From there, it holds that form beautifully for a number of years. Around eight to ten years, you’ll see a shift to golden hues, less primary fruit, and more straw and creaminess on the palate. Top vintages, like 2008, can age for decades, still showing remarkable freshness and retaining a youthful character even at 17 years.
In your eyes, what elevates a good Chardonnay into a truly great one?
Kym Schroeter… just kidding!
We’re fortunate to have access to some of the best Chardonnay vineyards in Australia, so the resulting wine should always meet a high standard. But it’s the decisions made at critical moments, guided by experience, that can take them to the next level. Climate, of course, plays a major role in shaping quality, but ultimately, it comes down to how you make the wine and attention to detail. Picking decisions, press cuts, ferment management, and barrel selection are all key points in that process.
With decades of experience, what continues to ignite your passion in the winery and vineyard?
Every new vintage gives a certain amount of excitement and anticipation. It’s years like 2025 for Chardonnay that excites me and keeps the passion alive, what a year! I love getting out of the office and into the vineyard throughout the season and particularly during vintage. No one day is the same; you are continually tasting, learning and enjoying the company of our great winemaking team. In my latter years, I’ve really enjoyed mentoring the next generation of winemakers, passing on knowledge and experience. I just love doing what I’m doing, creating wines that people love to drink!
How does Penfolds House Style reveal itself in Penfolds white wines?
In Penfolds Chardonnays, I think Penfolds house style is represented by continuity of style year after year with vintage variation. Penfolds Chardonnays are all linked by purity, complexity and linear acid structures and have the ability to age very well under controlled conditions.
Are there any avant-garde white wine projects quietly taking shape – ventures as bold as Penfolds cross-hemisphere reds?
I would love to think a Burgundian collaboration isn’t out of the realms of possibility, but for now, I’m constantly thinking of and trialing new techniques and working with new clones for a potential Special Bin white (Chardonnay).
Working alongside Peter Gago and the team, what is it like contributing to a shared vision?
I’ve always had the utmost respect for Peter and admire his passion for Penfolds – it definitely rubs off on the whole team. We’re a wonderfully close team that loves what we do and shares the same principles and goals. I love the fact that I’m now forever a part of Penfolds history, a brand that is so iconic and a brand that I absolutely love.
Kym Schroeter’s career is marked by outstanding achievements, including being named IWC White Winemaker of the Year in 2015 and securing a Master Medal at the 2025 Global Chardonnay Masters for Penfolds Reserve Bin A. Such honours are testament not only to his individual expertise and dedication but also to the strength of the Penfolds winemaking team. Together, they continue to produce white wines of exceptional quality and character. With Kym’s enduring curiosity and willingness to explore new frontiers, this moment represents merely a milestone in Penfolds ongoing journey – one that promises exciting developments.
Date Interviewed: May 2025
