Olive Hamilton Russell grew up on a South African cattle farm, which had been in her family for almost 200 years.

After majoring in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), she worked in retail food product development at Harvey Nichols in London (United Kingdom) and Woolworths in Cape Town (South Africa). This led to a position in retail homeware buying with inevitable regular business travel to Europe and Asia.

Today she lives in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. She owns and operates Hamilton Russell Oregon – a producer of carefully selected single vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. She gained experience through decades long involvement in the world of wine and played an active role in the management of Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Ashbourne and Southern Right wineries in South Africa.

She holds the WSET Diploma as well as the Cape Wine Academy Diploma.

Olive has published a bestselling cookbook “Entertaining at Hamilton Russell Vineyards”, winning a Gourmand Award in its category. She has appeared on international TV cooking and wine shows.

She has participated on international food and wine judging panels, and have participated in wine seminar panels in Oregon, Florida and California.