Meet The Islander Estate Vineyards Team
Jacques Lurton, Founder and Owner
A fifth-generation Lurton family winemaker, Jacques has become one of the world’s best-known flying winemakers. Learning his craft in Bordeaux at this family’s Chateau La Louviere, he branched out on his own, making wine throughout the regions of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Moldova, California and in South America in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile and of course, his second love behind France - Australia.
Jacques’ experience in Australia spans over 30 vintages and began under the mentorship of Brian Croser (Petaluma), James Halliday and Australian wine legend Len Evans, amongst others.
He visited Kangaroo Island with his wife in 1997, traversing every road on the Island, falling in love with the pristine natural environment, and pioneering culture. He recognised similarities with regions of Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, and became captivated by the region's enormous untapped viticultural potential.
Today, Jacques has stepped up in his family business as President of Vignobles Famille André Lurton, encompassing six châteaux throughout the appellations of Bordeaux. He continues as owner and wine director of The Islander Estate Vineyards, working closely with his partner, Yale Norris.
Yale Norris, Managing Director and Winemaker
Hailing from Colorado, USA, Yale had a career with origins in the corporate sector and as an entrepreneur, founding a wholesale travel business focused on Australian destinations. In 2011 Yale and his wife Maren sold their business and moved to Australia and Kangaroo Island to raise their family.
Yale and Jacques quickly connected and realised that their complementary areas of expertise and acumen were exactly what The Islander Estate Vineyards needed to take the business into the future on both the international and domestic stage.
Yale is now Managing Director and Winemaker, although as in any boutique wine business on any given day he also acts Vineyard Manager, Viticulturalist, Mechanic, Cellar Door Manager and Sales Director.