People

People

Derek Hooper, director

Derek Hooper studied at Roseworthy back in the early nineties when Australia's massive wine boom was in its early days. Before establishing Cape Jaffa Wines, Derek gained extensive experience in renowned wineries from around the world, including Domain de Chevelier in Bordeaux, Chapoutier in the Rhone Valley and Leconfield in Coonawarra, South Australia.

Derek is passionate about sustainable practices and integrates this into the daily running of Cape Jaffa Wines.  He has recently fitted the winery with its first solar panels to power the complex and feed excess power back into the grid.

  



Kym & Sue Hooper, directors

Derek's parents Kym and Sue Hooper founded Cape Jaffa Wines in 1993, recognising Mount Benson's potential for premium wine grape production in the early 90s.  They are heavily involved in  maintaining relationships with existing and potential international distributors.

Anna Hooper, winemaker

With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology), Anna Hooper worked at a number of world-renowned wineries including Domain Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, Rustenberg in Stellenbosch and Chapoutier in the Rhone Valley before beginning her career in Australia. Anna now oversees all winemaking operations at Cape Jaffa and strives to create wines with both elegance and complexity. Anna was also integral in instigating biodynamic winegrowing at Cape Jaffa Wines, and now is working on timing winemaking operations in the winery with events in the biodynamic calendar to create our certified biodynamic wine range.


Kate Napper, marketing & communications

Kate's passion lies with food and wine.  Having completed a Bachelor of International Hotel Management and a postgraduate certificate in Food Writing she has extensive experience in food and beverage including event coordinating. She brings her passion to the marketing department of Cape Jaffa Wines and loves to chat about wine and food pairing and the 'Cape Jaffa' biodynamic vegie patch.  

Kate is dedicated to bringing more food and wine events to Cape Jaffa and is passionate about spreading the word on limestone coast produce.

Favourite Cape Jaffa drop: the La Lune Rose de Syrah paired with a moroccan inspired feast!


Anne Whisson, cellar Door and regional sales

Having a keen interest in wine and with several family members involved in the industry Anne took a 'break' from her teaching career to take on the exciting challenge of cellar door in 2008. Relishing this change Anne's role was soon extended to include regional sales. 

She enjoys taking care of our local trade customers and spends time on the road promoting our portfolio to the surrounding regions. 

Anne is passionate about sharing the Cape Jaffa story and imparting information about our biodynamic practices. She welcomes everyone into our cellar door as if it were her own home! 

Favourite Cape Jaffa drop: The Set Sauvignon Blanc matched with lobster pate from Kingston Lacepede Seafood Co.

Kate Rayner, finance & administration

Conrad Slabber, assistant winemaker