The Proust Q&A: Darren Rathbone

Dividing his time between Yering Station, Mount Langi Ghiran and Xanadu Wines, Darren is the CEO and group chief winemaker of the Rathbone Group. He talks to db about having no time for regrets and dining with David Attenborough.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Great company, great food and great wine.

What is your greatest fear?

Nothing apart from fear itself!

Which living person do you most admire?

My Dad. He has been a great mentor to me.

What is your greatest extravagance? 

I like to be greedy with my time, particularly making time for my wife and I to spend together. It can be as simple as dinner and a movie (and a great bottle of wine…).

What is your current state of mind?

Optimistic – there are so many things to get down about, but there are lots of things to give me confidence that we are continuing to grow and improve.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

I like that fact that my wife has always got my back. She supports me in everything I do, but is quick to tell me when I am doing something stupid – which is often.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Bridget, that’s why I married her.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Um. I always seem to get stuck on words and “Um” comes out way too often.

When and where were you happiest?

My wedding day.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would be 5cm taller!

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I was better at learning languages – I have tried a few times to learn French, and I find I am frustratingly bad at it.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Building the Rathbone Wine Group to where it is today.

Where would you most like to live?

I live there already – Downtown Melbourne and part time in Margaret River.

What is your most treasured possession?

My business – The Rathbone Wine Group.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am not sure I have one?

Who is your favourite writer?

Jack Kerouac.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Bruce Lee. As the character he played in Enter The Dragon, and as the greatest Kung Fu movie artist of all time. (I’m also a fan of Kung Fu Panda…)

What is it that you most dislike?

Faulty wines that people call “natural”.

What is your greatest regret?

I don’t have time for regrets.

What is your motto?

Focus on quality.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

It would have to be David Attenborough, Malcolm Gladwell, Jim Jarmouch and Kim Gordon. I would serve 1996 Krug, Clos Mesnil, 1945 Chateau La Tour and 1971 Vietti Barolo Riserva. There are so many great wines and interesting people in the world, this list could go on for a long time!