[1][2] Gago was born in Newcastle, England, where he lived until the age of six before emigrating to Australia, settling in Melbourne.
He became a high school teacher of mathematics and chemistry in the early 1980s after graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science.
At age twenty-nine, he undertook a Bachelor of Applied Science (Oenology) degree at Roseworthy College, graduating as dux.
Gago succeeded John Duval as Penfolds Chief Winemaker in 2002,[3][4] becoming only the fourth person to hold the position since Max Schubert was first appointed in 1948.
[citation needed] Gago was named 2005 Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.