ABOUT US

Our Team

Founders and Vignerons
Brad & Matt

Matthew and Brad both come from a corporate background, with Matthew completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Brad a Bachelor of Science. Matthew has over 20 years’ experience in automotive design, engineering and manufacturing, with 11 of those years as an executive with General Motors. His career has seen him work in the USA, South Korea and Australia. 

Brad commenced his working career in the genetics department at Melbourne University with his career primarily focused in the areas of Program Management and Management Consulting across multiple industries.

While living in the USA, the couple purchased their first vineyard in Steels Creek, at which point they had their wine made under contract. After a seven and a half year stint overseas, they returned to Australia at the start of 2015 with their four year old son Sebastian, and started to set up their own winery. 2016 saw the two release the first wine made themselves under close instruction from their previous winemaker.


Steels Gate was not their first introduction to the wine industry, in 2004 they established a retail and wholesale wine business in Chapel St, Windsor. Brad left his corporate position at this time to run the business, which they subsequently sold in 2006 when they suspected Matthew would be sent overseas with his corporate job.

Matthew abd Brad. Owners and winemakers of Steels Gate Wines
Venue Manager
Laura Hammen
With a degree in business and over 15 years of industry experience, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion to her role as Venue Manager. A true lover of Pinot Noir, she’s worked across a diverse range of hospitality settings — from charming country pubs to bustling venues along Melbourne’s Collins Street. Laura’s warm, customer-focused approach and eye for detail help shape every aspect of the guest experience at Steels Gate.
Head Chef
Pasindu Wimukthi

“My goal is simple: to make every dish memorable, using natural ingredients, bold flavours, and modern techniques.”

Chef Pasindu brings over 16 years of international experience and award-winning skill to Steels Gate. Born in Sri Lanka, he learned to cook alongside his mother, building rich, authentic flavours from scratch. His career spans iconic five-star hotels across Sri Lanka, Qatar, Kuwait, the Maldives, and Seychelles, where he trained under Michelin-starred chefs and led acclaimed fine dining kitchens. Now based in Victoria, Pasindu infuses modern French elegance, Asian sophistication, and Sri Lankan authenticity into every menu at Steels Gate. Passionate about sustainable, seasonal ingredients, he’s especially known for his inventive plant-based dishes. Chef Pasindu’s commitment is to deliver an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates nature, flavour, and creativity.

Sebastian has a lot of interests including Lego, Karate, iPad games and watching YouTube videos. From a schooling perspective Sebastian loves Maths, Science and Technology and since returning to Australia in 2014 has shown great interest in anything around these subjects, including the vineyard and wine making. Following his Dad’s work in the vineyard, winery and cellar door / restaurant, Sebastian decided at the age of 8 to make his own wine. In early 2019 his interest to make a wine was sparked when he was helping clean barrels and asked “what can I make?”. With some small amounts of different varieties on the Steels Gate, Dixons Creek vineyard, Sebastian chose to make a Merlot (nicknamed “Smerlot”). Having spent a good couple of years in bottle, Sebastian is now preparing to launch his brand “Atkins-Davis” and release his 2019 Merlot
"The best chardonnay made by a 12yo ever. Enter the Atkins-Davis Chardonnay"

Listen to Sebastian chatting with Brigitte Duclos on an ABC listen podcast, Afternoons.