Karina Dambergs grew up on a vineyard in the Riverland, which her grandparents started after they emigrated from Germany and Latvia. Like many viticultural child labourers, she swore she'd do something else, so she studied chemical engineering. Despite her good intentions, she soon ended up working in a winery laboratory. With a natural aptitude and a renewed interest, Karina went on to complete her winemaking and viticulture degrees at Charles Sturt University in NSW, winning the prestigious 2001 ASVO prize for external study.
Karina commenced her role as senior winemaker in 2007. Her passion for sparkling wine was well researched. She made wine in four different states of Australia as well as France (Champagne) and Italy (Le Marche), producing quantities ranging from 20 to 40,000 tonnes, before discovering her love for making sparkling wine. Despite her youth, Karina has 23 vintages under her belt.
According to Karina, one of the best things about making sparkling wine is that people enjoy it at important celebrations and milestones in their lives. This year, alone, she will be toasting five marriages with wine that she and her team have made.
Karina's key Taltarni wine moment:
"Enjoying Taché at all my friends' weddings (and assorted celebrations) with freshly peeled prawns. It's also great with a prawn, watermelon and feta salad."