JONO THOMPSON
Winemaker
From the age of 12 Jono had an interest in wine, his Pa would allow him to have a glass of wine with cheese and crackers before dinner, he would tell Jono about the wine and ask his opinion. From around the same age Jono accompanied his Pa to work at the Fairfield vineyard and cellars. Between the ages 13 and 16 this work became a little more serious, learning various vineyard growing and winemaking techniques, which lead him to study viticulture after school.
Since then Jono has completed vintages in California, Argentina, Chile and Italy, whilst all the time stopping back home at Rutherglen for a vintage or two.
It was in Italy where Jono learned similar philosophies to his Pa, wines that have a sense of identity, wines that tell a story about the place they come from in every glass. It was here he knew that one day he would endeavour to make his own wine.
LUKE HEYME
CEO
Based in Albury, Luke studied Accounting at university and started his career with the local KPMG firm in 2005. Here he met his future wife, Kirby, and gained his Chartered Accountant qualification and upon doing so left Australia to work and travel abroad.
Luke has visited most of the major wine regions of the world and has developed a keen interest in growing and winemaking techniques in doing so. Luke returned home to Albury in 2011 to get married where he was given the book ‘A good nose & great legs’ written by Robert Geddes as a wedding gift from Jono. This book quickly became a favourite of Luke’s and assisted in the expansion of his knowledge of all things wine, growing, making & tasting.
Whilst taking a focus on the business side of things at Memento Wines, Luke is also very hands on with the processing and blending of our wines.
KIRBY HEYME
CFO
Kirby grew up on her family farm just outside of Holbrook and moved into Albury after school to study Accountancy. Starting at KPMG as a trainee is where she met her future husband Luke. Luke and Kirby travelled the world after gaining their qualifications but always knew they would settle back home at Albury.
Upon returning from overseas Kirby took a role with a local company that owned and operated hospitality venues along the east coast of Australia. She began as a financial controller and left five years later on maternity leave as the CFO. This was an ideal role for Kirby gaining knowledge of not only the financial and operational side of the beverage industry but also sales and marketing. Understanding these aspects of the industry proves vital to the operation of Memento Wines and how we market ourselves.
Kirby now manages the day to day operations and finances of Memento Wines whilst caring for hers and Luke’s beautiful children Harry, George and Edward.