Nominations are open for the 13th Young Winemaker of the Year
Announcement posted by Define Wine Marketing & Communications 24 Jul 2013
The 13th annual Wine Society ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’ awards have been officially launched, with The Wine Society today calling for nominations for the prestigious award.
Open to winemakers in Australia and New Zealand, Young Winemaker aims to promote winemaking excellence through the recognition and reward of talented young winemakers. Eligible winemakers (aged 35 years or under), are invited to nominate for the awards by submitting three wines.
2012’s Young Winemaker of the Year, Nick Picone from Villa Maria Estate, will join respected judges Ian McKenzie, Toni Paterson MW, and James Halliday to judge the wines.
“We are delighted to have such high calibre wine judges supporting Young Winemaker,” said Event Coordinator, Lydia Barrie. “This event has been generating huge levels of interest both in Australia and New Zealand, and the involvement of industry icons like James Halliday underscores the importance of these awards.”
“We are also happy to announce that Single Vineyard Sellers have joined us as a sponsor of the 2013 Awards. Single Vineyard Sellers are a great proponent of Young Winemaker of the Year awards and through their assistance will help ensure a successful and relevant event.”
The 2013 Young Winemaker of the Year selection process comprises two judging stages, with an initial tasting of all nominations in mid September determining the top ten finalists. The top ten will then be assessed again, culminating in the award of the ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’.
Nominations for Young Winemaker may come from friends, family, peers, suppliers, customers or the young winemakers themselves. “We invite anyone with an interest in wine to nominate their favourite young winemaker,” said Lydia.
The 2013 awards will provide a unique opportunity for sponsors, media, and invited industry members to participate in the judging of the ‘Supporters’ Choice’; while the ultimate peer award - the ‘Finalists’ Choice’ will be judged by the collective palates of the top ten finalists themselves.
The three winners will be crowned at an intimate dinner, where guests will be presented with the ten top scoring wines and the winemakers who created them.
The winner of the prestigious Young Winemaker of the Year award receives a beautiful trophy made by Plumm Glassware, as well as a cash prize and 12 months bragging rights.
Key Dates:
Nominations Close: 5pm, Friday 30 August 2013
Top ten finalists announced: September 2013
Finalists’ Choice & Supporters’ Choice Judging: Monday 11 November 2013
Young Winemaker of the Year awards dinner: Monday 11 November 2013
2012 Winners:
Young Winemaker of the Year: Nick Picone, Villa Maria Estate
Finalists’ Choice Award: Malcolm Rees-Francis, Rockburn Wines
Supporters’ Choice Award: Steve Baraglia, Naked Run Wines
Further information regarding The Wine Society ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’, including nomination forms and past winners, can be found be visiting www.youngwinemaker.com.au
For more information, interviews or images please contact:
David Cumming at Define Wine: P: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
Lydia Barrie, Events Coordinator at The Wine Society P: 02 9413 4024 or Lydia.Barrie@winesociety.com.au