The Proust Q&A: Scott McWilliam

Scott McWilliam is the sixth generation winemaker and descends from a long line of pioneers starting with Samuel McWilliam who came to Australia from Ireland in 1855 and planted the first vine in Corowa, New South Wales in 1877. McWilliam’s Wines was named ‘Winery of the Year’ by Matthew Jukes in 2014 and has its base in Hanwood two hours north of Corowa.  Scott speaks to db HK about inviting Richard Dawkins for dinner and his grandfather, whom he most admires.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Spending time on the farm or at the beach with the ones I love the most, in particular my daughters. My children have brought a renewed and better understanding of life’s values and the things that matter the most. Life is a gift and is short so being a good dad bring me an immense amount of happiness

What is your greatest fear? 

Losing those who I love the most.

Which living person do you most admire?

I admire my grandfather dearly. He is the most gentle man I have ever met. I have heard stories from others of the personal and professional hardships he has endured and for him to remain so wise, gentle and loving is an amazing lesson for me.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Spending time with my kids and spoiling them with gifts from the heart.

What is your current state of mind? 

Currently I am going through some of my own hardships and relying on my family to pull me through has been invaluable. Currently my mindset is focused on surrounding myself with family in both my personal life and within the business. I know one day some of the older generation won’t be around and I will be the family elder, so I am forever preparing myself to be as wonderful as these wonderful mentors.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? 

Someone who accepts my failings and loves me for the person I am.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

My children.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Probably the word “Umm” – despite it not really being a word.

When and where were you happiest?

My happy place is a private river beach on the edge of my family farm. There is a fresh water river bend with a large sandy beach. The riverbank on both sides are very steep so the location is very secluded. There is all types of Australian wildlife and the water is so refreshing for swimming in the summer time. during the winter months the water freezes on the edges, it is so much fun. It takes nearly an hour to drive there with a four wheel drive and there is absolutely no one else around.

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

To be more disciplined and increase my level of fitness.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I love music and I used to DJ back in the day, I always wished I could make my own music and successfully sell it.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Becoming a dad.

Where would you most like to live?

I would love to live near a beautiful reef on a tropical island.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have a set of professional studio headphones and the music quality is outstanding. I use music to meditate and these headphones sound out of this world.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I like to think I am charming, both of my grandfathers are/were exceptional gentlemen with great wit and charm.

Who is your favourite writer?

Richard Dawkins.

Who is your hero of fiction?

If I had to choose it would probably be Batman.

What is it that you most dislike?

I dislike ignorant people who are outspoken.

What is your greatest regret? 

Not appreciating my childhood freedom and innocence at the time, but I guess that’s hard to do for any child.

What is your motto?

Look after yourself.

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

Richard Dawkins, Richard Branson, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and Gina Rinehart. To start, I would serve Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, then Mount Pleasant Hunter Valley Maurice O’Shea Shiraz. I’d finish the evening with  McWilliam’s 1958 Pedro Ximenes dessert wine – the first known botrytis wine made in Australia.