It’s been 18 years since Jeffrey Grosset won the inaugural Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year Award. Three of his fellow nominees were subsequent winners: Vanya Cullen, Stephen and Prue Henschke, and Philip Shaw. They, like other finalists, still provide many of the great classic Australian wines as well as some cutting edge styles that challenge the most avant-garde creations of the young and daring. These awards continue to focus on the top wines produced in this country with Winemaker of the Year; recognise leadership through the Len Evans Award; highlight viticultural excellence with the Perpetual Viticulturist of the Year; and offer glimpses of the finest talent from the next generation through Young Winemaker of the Year.
Gourmet Traveller WINE initiated this prestigious award to celebrate the most talented winemakers in the land. Over time, we have also been able to draw attention to 14 budding stars through our Young Winemaker Medal, pay homage to industry leaders who receive the Len Evans Award and, for the last three years, acknowledge the often overlooked vineyard heroes through the Viticulturist of the Year Award.
Headed by chairperson Peter Forrestal, the panel of judges of the Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year Awards offer unparalleled experience and insight into the Australian wine industry. It is made up of long-serving members Peter Bourne, Nick Bulleid MW, Huon Hooke and Andrew Caillard MW. Mike Bennie and Toni Paterson MW joined in 2014.
