Gregory John Dedman, 59, was sentenced in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court last month after pleading guilty to eight charges for the total theft of $22,644 from the company.

Dedman was one of three directors and shareholders of Vintage Services Australia, based at the 5528 Estate on the Calder Highway.

He was also the former head winemaker at the Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE until the program was discontinued and the winemaking equipment was purchased by Vintage Services Australia in 2012.

Between August 2011 and May 2015, Dedman stole $7285 from the company to make personal purchases of tools and building supplies.

He stole a further $2376 from the company for personal accommodation expenses between March 2013 and September 2014.

Dedman stole $8949 for dinners, grocery expenses and alcohol.

He spent $72.50 of company funds for the rental of a personal post box, and $215.40 for personal fuel, taxi and parking costs.

He used $260 of company funds to hire equipment and to pay tip fees.

Dedman also stole $1226 from Vintage Services Australia to purchase personal computer equipment.

The final charge related to the theft of $2260 cash from the company.

Magistrate John Bentley convicted Dedman and placed him on a 15-month community corrections order with 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Dedman, who has since relocated to south of Melbourne, was also ordered to repay $13,146 to Vintage Services Australia.

Current director Glenn Baldock said the company completed its final bottling last month and they were attempting to sell equipment to recoup lost funds, before the company is closed or sold.

Vintage Services Australia is a contract winemaker business which produces wines from vineyards throughout the region.