Kirsty was born in Penola, and after finishing her education in Adelaide she spent time in Broken Hill and then in Tasmania at Cradle Mountain. Returning to Adelaide, Kirsty attended university where she studied Business Management and Marketing. In 1990, Kirsty joined the family company and is currently responsible for the financial aspects of vineyard management and contracting, winery contracting and making and selling Balnaves wines. Kirsty is the current President of the South Australian Wine Industry Association after serving on the Board since 2013. Kirsty was also Member of the Coonawarra Vigneron’s Association Executive for 15 years, including a period as Vice President, she is also a  Board member of the Penola and District Community Bank – Bendigo Bank, Volunteer for Meals on Wheels and volunteer on the Penola Community Wellness committee.

Kirsty has been a past member of the Lower South East Water Resources Committee, past member of the Penola and District Medical Support Group, past committee member of the Penola and District Little Athletics and Penola Netball Club.

In 2018 Kirsty was named as a finalist in the Australian Women in Wine Owner-Operator of the Year Awards. The award recognises “the ladies who run the show”– wine business owners or operators who have made an outstanding contribution to their business in the Australian wine industry.

Her weekends are full of farming with Will, Ellie & Annie, a revived horse riding interest and the odd chook auction.