Meet the Crew: Lilian Carter

From growing up on a vineyard in Rutherglen to making wine across Australia, China and beyond, Lilian Carter has built a career around science, travel, relationships and, of course, wine. As The Flying Winemaker’s winemaking consultant and technical adviser in Australia, she brings international experience and a distinctly practical approach to every vintage.

At The Flying Winemaker, we believe in winemaking without borders. That means working across regions, countries and cultures — and bringing together talented people who know how to make great wine happen.

One of those people is Lilian Carter, our Victoria-based winemaking consultant and technical adviser. We caught up with Lilian to talk about her journey into wine, international winemaking, life on the road, and what keeps her excited about vintage after all these years.

From Rutherglen to a Career in Wine

Lilian grew up in Rutherglen, Victoria, a region renowned for its sweet and fortified wines. Wine was part of everyday life from an early age.

“I grew up on a vineyard there and my parents were involved in the wine industry in a number of ways.”

Add an interest in science, a love of the outdoors and a sense of adventure, and winemaking started to look like the perfect career.

For Lilian, it ticked plenty of boxes: science, travel, adventure, being outdoors and, yes, a little romance.

She went on to study Oenology at the University of Adelaide, where her interest in international winemaking really began to take shape.

Her First Vintage Abroad: South Africa

During her final year, Lilian had the opportunity to complete a practical vintage anywhere she wanted.

While most of her classmates stayed in Australia, she chose South Africa.

“It was actually pretty adventurous,” she recalls.

The winemaking experience was important, but so was the opportunity to travel. That first international vintage planted the seed for what would become a career defined by movement between wine regions and countries.

Six Years with Orlando Wines

After graduating, Lilian joined Orlando Wines through its graduate program.

Over six years, she progressed from assistant winemaker to winemaker and eventually commercial winemaker, while moving between different locations and working alongside experienced winemakers.

“It was a good six-year chunk within the business,” she says. “I worked with a lot of experienced winemakers and gained a lot of knowledge during that process.”

It was also where she got her first taste of frontier winemaking in China.

For two years, Lilian travelled between Australia and China, watching a rapidly developing wine industry from the inside.

“I could see the appetite, the growth and interest.”

That experience gave her valuable insight into emerging wine regions — something that would become increasingly useful throughout her consulting career.

From Winemaker to Consultant

After Orlando Wines, Lilian returned to Victoria and spent two years in the Yarra Valley as Domaine Chandon’s still wine winemaker.

She then took the leap into consulting.

Today, she has more than a decade of experience working independently with wine businesses and producers, providing everything from technical winemaking advice to relationship management, contracts and distribution support.

Her work has also taken her back to China and other international markets.

“I decided if I was going to have a set of clients in Australia, I wanted to balance that out with work in the Northern Hemisphere too.”

That international perspective fits naturally with The Flying Winemaker philosophy.

Lilian and The Flying Winemaker

Lilian has worked with Eddie and The Flying Winemaker team for around five years.

What began with overseeing winemaking in Victoria has expanded into a broader role covering wine production across Australia and parts of New Zealand, including the Gladstone vineyard.

Her role isn't limited to what happens inside the winery.

It involves technical winemaking, business advice, relationships, contracts, distribution and everything in between.

In other words: making wine is only part of making a wine business work.

Life as a Travelling Winemaker

Being a travelling winemaker sounds glamorous. The reality? Sometimes it's a lot of driving.

“During vintage there’s a lot of driving,” Lilian laughs. “I wish I had a helicopter.”

Technology has made the job easier, however. Vineyard photos, wine samples, contract processing facilities and constant communication mean that not every decision requires someone to be physically standing in the vineyard.

But Lilian still believes there's no replacement for face-to-face contact.

“There are a number of different ways that you can connect. And now people are much more open to that — though the value of face-to-face contact is still important.”

Vintage, Family and the Great Juggle

During vintage, Lilian's calendar becomes a logistical masterpiece.

“I’m asking: Where am I? What day? What’s happening? Where are the kids? Who’s dropping them off?”

It’s a juggle — but clearly one she enjoys.

For Lilian, the excitement of vintage still comes from being close to the action: the vineyards, the winery, the people and the decisions that ultimately shape the wine.

Does She Have a Favourite Wine Region?

Ask Lilian to choose her favourite region, and you're likely to get a very diplomatic answer.

“Oh, I can’t choose. That’s like picking a favourite kid!”

She does admit to having a soft spot for north-east Victoria, though — unsurprising given her Rutherglen roots.

“I do love north-east Victoria. It’s great being able to reconnect with friends and family back home when I go out there for work.”

Outside the winery, Lilian enjoys family time, reading and getting outdoors. Her ideal escape? Hiking through the mountains of north-eastern Victoria and getting properly off the beaten track.

And when the hiking boots come off, and dinner is served, there's one pairing she particularly enjoys:

The Flying Winemaker Pinot Grigio with seafood.

We can definitely get behind that.

Why Lilian’s Story Matters

Lilian Carter represents what modern winemaking can look like: technical expertise combined with international experience, adaptability, relationships, and a willingness to keep moving.

From Rutherglen to South Africa, China, the Yarra Valley and vineyards across Australia and New Zealand, her career reflects The Flying Winemaker's belief that great wine doesn't have to fit neatly inside borders.

Wine travels. Winemakers travel. Good ideas travel too.

FAQs

Who is Lilian Carter?
Lilian Carter is a Victorian-based winemaking consultant and technical adviser with The Flying Winemaker. Originally from Rutherglen, she has worked across Australia, China, South Africa and New Zealand, combining technical winemaking expertise with experience in wine business, contracts, relationships and distribution.

What does Lilian Carter do at The Flying Winemaker?
She oversees and advises on winemaking across Australian projects and parts of New Zealand, while also providing technical, business and relationship support.

Where did Lilian Carter grow up?
Lilian grew up in Rutherglen in north-east Victoria, surrounded by vineyards and the wine industry.

Where did Lilian study winemaking?
She studied Oenology at the University of Adelaide.

Has Lilian Carter worked internationally?
Yes. Her international experience includes winemaking work in South Africa and China, alongside her work across Australian wine regions.

What wine does Lilian recommend with seafood?
Lilian enjoys The Flying Winemaker Pinot Grigio with seafood.