The Young Winemaker of the Year awards is one of the most anticipated evenings in the Wine Society's calendar. The philosophy behind the awards is simple – to encourage and recognise excellence in the young winemakers of Australia and New Zealand by supporting emerging talent.
We believe that the future of the wine industry lies firmly in the hands of these youngsters, and we, as the nation's authority on wine need to provide tangible opportunities to help these winemakers develop their profile within the industry.
Today, the awards encapsulate three unique achievements.
The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year
The winemaker who is deemed to have produced and made the most outstanding wines of all nominees in question is awarded this title. Judging is executed by four of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most respected wine show judges – Iain Riggs (Brokenwood), Brian Walsh (Yalumba), James Halliday (The Wine Companion) and John Belsham (Foxes Island).
Young Winemaker Supporters' Choice Award
Young Winemaker supporter, sponsors, media and VIPs all make the awards possible and in their honor one finalist is bestowed the “peoples’ choice” or Supporters’ Choice Award. Supporters are invited to an exclusive afternoon, to meet the finalists and blind taste their wines to decide a winner.
Young Winemaker Finalists' Choice Award
New for 2012, the Young Winemaker Finalists’ Choice Award is a highly valued prize where each of the 10 Finalists tastes and judges their peers wines. With the scores for their own wines disregarded the Award is bestowed upon the finalist who created the most popular wine as voted by fellow finalists. A great honor for one lucky winner.
The winners for 2012 are:
- Nick Picone, Villa Maria - The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year 2012
- Steven Baraglia, Naked Run Wines - Young Winemaker Supporters' Choice Award 2012
- Malcolm Rees-Francis, Rockburn Wines - Young Winemaker Finalists' Choice Award 2012
To find out more, visit www.youngwinemaker.com.au.