It would be a fair suck of the sauce bottle to say the Australian wine landscape would not be what it is today without the influence of certain movers-and-shakers and charismatic characters. Those who are passionate about what they do, and desire success and excellence drive the industry forward for the betterment of all. Over the next couple of weeks, we look at a few such “legends”.
A huge influence on the success of Aussie wine brand Penfolds was one of its early winemakers – Max Schubert. Max had the passion and foresight to create an Australian wine akin to the famous red wines of France, specifically the long-lasting wines of Bordeaux. In 1951, Max produced the first edition of the iconic Penfolds Grange. While the concept may have been born from a sojourn through Bordeaux, a region synonymous with Cabernet, Max applied an Aussie twist by crafting his version with Shiraz. As Shiraz has its origins tracing back to France’s Hermitage region, he added “Hermitage” to the moniker. “Grange” was derived from the Penfolds family cottage, and so Penfolds Grange Hermitage was born. While the “Hermitage” tag has now been dropped, the wine has become the most iconic Aussie wine label.
Len Evans was known by some as the “Godfather” of the Australian Wine Industry. From the early ’60s and for decades after, Len’s passion for all things wine, together with his wily wit, liberal lip, and ability to promote and educate, had a profound influence on what we drank and how we drank it. Len held a firm belief that wine should be appreciated and enjoyed by the masses, not just the toffee-nosed elite. He demystified wine through his various newspaper and magazine columns and almanacs on Australian wine. His great work has been acknowledged many times over, with many awards and recognitions, including an OBE and Order of Australia.
One of Len’s early protégés was James Halliday.
James was a lawyer by trade, but his thirst for wine soon had him crossing paths with Len, and before long, James himself became an influential figure in the world of Aussie wine.
James established wineries such as Brokenwood in the Hunter and Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley, but the most significant influence he wielded was his prolific work as a show judge, wine critic and writer. The James Halliday “Wine Companion” is one of the most respected wine publications in the industry, being eagerly anticipated by producers and consumers alike.
Score a 5-Star review in the Wine Companion, and the maker is “off to the races” with a likely surge on demand from a keen and educated public.
Cheers!
