By Mike Hayes
This week’s Q&A is with Stanthorpe identity Mike Hayes. Mike Hayes 58 years old, is the youngest of nine children from Lyra, worked in the wine industry over the past 43 years, 16 regions throughout Australia and New Zealend plus travelled the world of wine. Married to Andrea and one daughter Jessica.
If you could spend 24 hours anywhere, any year, where would you choose?
Definitely Italy, with my wife, Andrea, in particular Venice, when we visited, it was quite special and romantic.
The people were in an idyllic lifestyle, simply carefree and happy. The region has wonderful wines and delicious food.
What is something people may not know about you?
I am not your typical Aussie, I don`t watch the car racing on television, I definitely do not play golf, and I don`t enjoy fishing, I prefer reading books and in particular old books on viticulture and wine.
How do you relax after a long day?
I look forward to a glass of wine at the end of a day, simply relaxing in my favourite chair with a glass of wine and reading a book.
Gardening is also a release valve for me and finally playing with Teddy, the family dog.
What are you most grateful for?
I think my career has been a bit unbelievable to say the least, I have been fortunate to travel the world and research viticulture and to be employed in a job that you love is very fortunate.
Seriously, the thing I have been most grateful for is my wife, Andrea, she has guided me and supported me to no end throughout my life.
Also, my upbringing, youngest of nine children, with an Irish background, work hard, earn your keep and treat everyone as you want to be treated, great mottos to set your life on.
What would your last meal on earth be?
To choose the last meal on earth is a tough one, preferably pasta, from my favourite Italian restaurant in Milan, Capriccio.
If it was a breakfast, it would be a Queensland Special, fried eggs, sunny side up, crispy bacon, fried banana, fried pineapple with a triple stack of buttermilk pancakes all smothered in maple syrup, yum!!.
Do you prefer Coffee or Tea?
I have successfully weened myself from caffeine entirely, I now drink herbal teas with my tea of choice being Lemon Grass and Ginger, however, I have an interest in berry teas, particularly from cranberry and boysenberry.
Otherwise, water is also a great choice.
What are you currently reading and what’s the best book you’ve ever read?
Currently I am reading, Drinking with the Valkyries: Writings on Wine by Andrew Jeffords, a fascinating book on the travels of Andrew throughout the world.
I actually enjoy reading anything about wine and vines and the history of the wine industry.
The favourite book I have read would be, Down and Out in London and Paris by George Orwell, a close second would be The History of Wine by Hugh Johnson.
What’s you’re favourite spot in our region?
At present Balancing Heart Vineyards, the scenery is special with the spectacular backdrop of Roberts Range to the south west, close by is the Girraween National Park, this was a regular Saturday afternoon after work spot for swimming with all the friends, radio in the background and enjoying each other’s company.
What is the best piece of advise you have ever received?
Possibly the best advice I have received is, work hard, be respectful, listen to your elders, pass on what you have learnt and finally, never give up.
I was fortunate to have had many people teach me along the way, legends of the wine industry and other people including John Neville my high school teacher has had a huge influence on my career, as has my wife Andrea and my daughter Jessica. The advice from Andrea was inspirational and supportive.
Which six guests, dead or alive, would be invited to your ultimate dinner party?
Six people as guests, firstly, my wife Andrea and my daughter Jessica.
The others would be hard to choose, Jancis Robinson, a wine writer from England who I believe has the best focus on all issues regarding wine and the future of the industry with Climate Change.
David Attenborough, a legend on the cyclic habits of the evolution of our planet, a remarkable human being with poise and intellectual stimulation.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the world, his compassionate messages are never tiring whilst listening to them, everyone on the planet should follow him.
Finally, it would have been my mother, a wonderful human being who I dearly loved, mum was the glue of our family when we were growing up, the best mother in the world.
What is your favourite movie?
I have seen many movies, this is hard to pinpoint, the one movie that left me asking a lot of questions was Michael Collins, the early days of the IRA in Northern Ireland, a fascinating movie about courage, the family, and tribal integrity.
