Simon Killeen of Simao and Co a spit of his ancestors

SIMON Killeen was destined to be a winemaker. “Dad was one, grandpa was one, great-grandpa was one and great-great-grandpa was one,” says the 30-year-old from Rutherglen in Victoria’s North East who, for the second year in a row, has been named one of Australia’s best young winemakers. This year, Simon, who runs Simao and Co winery, is one of 12 young winemakers vying for the prestigious Young Gun of Wine award, to be announced on July 1.