Our Team at Borrodell
MEET THE TEAM
Gaye
Stuart-Nairne
Gaye was born in Brisbane and lived in Queensland near the beach for many years. She had visions of being a surfer but became a schoolteacher instead. Her family had a farm that produced vegetables, melons and tobacco.
After a fully immersed and successful career in the teaching of little minds to grow and prosper, Gaye advanced into the challenging role of Student Services Program Manager within the western region of New South Wales. She retired from the Education Department in 2002 and plunged headfirst establishing another full-time career, the building of a restaurant, accommodation, and a cellar door at Borrodell. Her audience is now more mature minds learning about wine and food, and sharing a good laugh!
“The Food and Wine tourism scene in Orange is dynamic and developing quickly, we love it!”
Luisa Machielse
wine & truffle manager
Growing up in Orange, Luisa left the country after high school to study music technology in The Netherlands, with aspirations of becoming a sound designer and composer for feature films. Although with nearly thirty (short) soundtracks to her credit, she returned to Australia and eventually back to Orange, working with the family business at Borrodell and soon discovering her second calling - wine.
To enhance her knowledge, she returned to Europe and studied wine in Tuscany Italy, working as a sommelier for the world’s oldest family-run wine business in their Michelin-starred restaurant. Her WSET wine studies continued in Paris, as she explored the Old World of European wines. Learning about wine has brought her around the world, including Europe and North America, as well as representing Borrodell at trade shows in China and Japan. She is an associate wine judge, enjoys writing novels and film scripts, as well as composing and playing live with her band in Japan.
Katherine Fitzpatrick
events & wedding manager
Katherine has been part of the Borrodell team for many years. She began working at Borrodell approximately 10 years ago at one of our beautiful weddings. As a mum of 4 active children, she decided to make a career in this physically demanding yet rewarding industry. Since then, she has hosted many weddings, as well as functions, conferences, and all sorts of events at Borrodell. She enjoys making all events special, ensuring that the dreams of all guests are realised.
Having grown up in the Orange region, Katherine is very knowledgeable of the community and has a great relationship with local suppliers and vendors ensuring Borrodell has the very best Orange has to offer. You will often find her making sure all details are perfect as well as staying until the end of all events to oversee the entire evening runs smoothly. From making sure the flower girls don’t have a meltdown, to helping the MC with a forgotten speech, Katherine can do it all!
Chris Lewis
groundsman
Luckily for us, Chris found his way to the beautiful mountain slopes of Mt Canobolas and Borrodell. As a man who loves to work hard and enjoys the flow of the seasons, he helped plant the original vineyard and many of the trees that are now a feature of Borrodell. Chris takes pride in the production of a high-quality crop at the end of each vintage.
He has many stories to tell, not only about grapes and vintages, but also about opal mining and outback living. A real man of the land, he does it all.
Shreejana Napit
Restaurant manager
Shree comes originally from Nepal and has been in Australia for approximately 4 years. She has thorough experience in restaurant management and hospitality in general. She has a post-graduate degree in Hotel Management and extensive experience in the hospitality sector including restaurant and bar management, and a team leader in the Hyatt Regent in Sydney.
She will also greet you with a smile and make you feel welcome.
Simon Gilbert
wine maker
Simon is a 5th generation winemaker whose great-great grandfather Joseph Gilbert is recognized as planting the first Riesling in Australia at Pewsey Vale, Eden Valley, South Australia in 1847.
From a young age, Simon knew that he wanted to become a winemaker, and since graduating in Oenology in 1977, he has been winemaking ever since. Early in Simon’s career, he enjoyed respected and admired positions at Lindemans and Arrowfield in the Hunter Valley, at which he had longevity and great success.
His ambition then led him to establish his own business and work with growers and viticulturists from Orange, New South Wales - including the notorious Borrodell - to develop premium cool climate wines. Simon is proud to have been involved in the Orange Wine Region since 1995 and has since seen Orange develop as one of the leading wine regions of Australia.