Our Founders

Itasca Wines was born from the serendipitous path-crossing of a well-traveled filmmaker and a sustainable agriculture expert. Meet our founders, Malcolm Walker and Simon Porter.

Over the last decade, Malcolm has directed and produced “Cellar Rats” – a wine TV series – which has seen him travel the world interviewing winemakers, including key figures in the growing UK wine industry.

Simon Porter has been working at Penn Croft Farm – where the winery is based – for over 40 years. In the last few years, he has been increasingly focusing on conservation agriculture – developing methods and practices designed to protect and preserve the natural world and especially the soil.

With a wealth of knowledge between them and a growing awareness of climate change issues, they realised they shared a vision for creating a sustainable winery, making wines from sustainably grown grapes – and using it as a platform to drive adoption of biodiverse viticulture.

Our Winemaker

Itasca Wines was born from the serendipitous path-crossing of a well-traveled filmmaker and a sustainable agriculture expert. Meet our founders, Malcolm Walker and Simon Porter.

Ben Smith is a talented chap. We were over the moon when he joined the Itasca team in May 2020 as our Head Winemaker.

He’s spent the last few years consistently producing stunning, highly respected organic wines. He’s got Gold Medals and multiple accolades to his credit – and England’s only perfect 20/20 score for his 2018 Chardonnay made while Head Winemaker at Oxney Organic Estate.

With 14 vintages under his belt and experience working in wineries in New Zealand, Western Australia, Tasmania, Canada, The Alsace and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Ben is an invaluable member of the team.

Testimonial

"It is a pleasure to deal with Ben and Itasca as a thoroughly professional solution to all our winemaking needs, it is early days for us but we are confident Ben will produce medal winning wines for us as his expertise shines through. "

James Tuttiett, Northbrook Vineyard

"Although nearly 50 years old Wraxall Vineyard was new to us - as was growing grapes and making wine. We wanted to work with a sustainable winery and a dynamic winemaker - and found both in Itasca. Ben had guided us and the vineyard through our first year producing medal winning wine - Itasca is now a critical part of the Wraxall team."

Wraxall Vineyard

"Dealing with the team at Itasca has been a delight at all stages - there is such a sense of professionalism and pride to deliver the very best service. I feel that our wine has been in the very best hands, and my inexperienced questions have all been dealt with so patiently! Highly recommended."

Lucinda Colucci, Blackdown Ridge Vineyard

"Itasca has been a great help to us in working hard to overcome any problems and get things done for our disgorging job. They are friendly, professional and skilled."

Simon Woodhead, Stopham Vineyard