One woman, one creative vision. Behind the scenes with Sarah Marquis.
In celebration of reaching our 20 Year milestone, we sat down with the woman behind it all, our Owner & Chief Winemaker, Sarah Marquis.
How do you feel about the past two decades of Mollydooker? What’s been the highlights?
I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve built over the past 20 years. From surviving financial hardships to being named three times in the ‘Top 10 Wines in the World’, winning South Australian Business of the Year, and even having Velvet Glove featured in a Russell Crowe film ~ it’s been quite a journey. But what means the most to me is that along the way, we’ve been able to support the people and environmental causes close to our hearts. That’s been the real reward.
What does the future of Mollydooker look like? What are you most excited for?
The future feels very bright. We have an incredible team, world-class wines, and a brand full of heart. What excites me most is being part of a business that genuinely wants to make a difference ~ for our team, our customers, and people less fortunate than ourselves.
What was the moment you knew Mollydooker was going to be something special?
When we discovered the Mollydooker Shake. Early on, we started using nitrogen as a natural preservative in our winemaking, but found that it flattened the aroma and flavour. So we began shaking the bottle to release the nitrogen ~ and suddenly the wines became softer, creamier, and beautifully aromatic. Now The Mollydooker Shake is one of our points of difference and has turned into something people all over the world can experience for themselves. It’s interactive, memorable, and most importantly… fun!
What was the hardest part of the early years?
Starting Mollydooker with just $17 in the bank took a lot of grit, belief, and long days. There were moments where all we really had was faith in the wine and the dream.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?
Trust your gut ~ and don’t be afraid to act on it.
What is the wine or vintage that you are most proud of and why?
The 2006 Violinist Verdelho will always hold a special place in my heart. In 2007, I tasted it alongside Robert Parker, undoubtedly the most famous wine critic in the world. After trying it, he turned to me and said, ‘Sarah, this is the best white wine I have ever tasted.’ As a winemaker, receiving this compliment from such a well-respected critic was a dream come true.
What is a behind-the-scenes moment from the last 20 years that fans would love to know about?
Recently, I became the only Australian winemaker interviewed in Robert Parker’s life documentary – a very surreal and special moment.
How has your relationship with winemaking evolved over time?
Now, as sole owner and Chief Winemaker, I have the freedom to make wines exactly the way I believe they should be made. There’s something very liberating about that.
What do you want to say to your loyal fans?
At Mollydooker, we are where ‘Wine goes to have fun’. We’ll always strive to give you the same incredible experience in every bottle ~ and hopefully create moments, memories, and friendships along the way.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope Mollydooker never compromises on quality and continues bringing joy to people for decades to come. As a mother, I feel incredibly lucky to have Luke and Holly involved in the business. Watching them carry the same passion, care, and energy into Mollydooker gives me so much confidence for the future.
At it’s core, what do you think has been responsible for Mollydooker’s success?
At the heart of it all, we make wines that taste unmistakably different through our trademarked winemaking techniques. There’s real science, history, and passion behind what we do – and that’s what has helped our brand stand out from the crowd.
Read some more reflections from our staff here.