Viticulture doyen Peter Hayes AM wins prestigious Legend of the Vine Award

Peter Hayes was named the SA Legend of the Vine in front of many of his wine industry associates and colleagues at the WCA Royal Adelaide Wine and Spirits Show Trophy Winners Lunch last month.

The prestigious award recognises Hayes’ outstanding contribution to the industry. His diverse career spans over 30 years and includes lasting contributions to education and training, R&D investment and management, viticultural operations, and industry advocacy and development. He was recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and has been a council member of the Australian Wine Research Institute, President of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), and chair of McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association.

National WCA executive officer Andrew Stark said of the announcement, “We are honoured to be able to recognise one of the great contributors to our wine community in Peter Hayes. Peter has been a tireless builder and advocate, contributing to the success of many wine businesses over the years, as well as the sector as a whole.”

Hayes is the eighth person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in SA, joining a prestigious national list that includes Brian Croser AO, Pam Dunsford, Tony Love, Brian Walsh, d’Arry Osborne, Bill Hardy, and Patrick Iland. The Legend of the Vine Award was first introduced in New South Wales in 2014, and extends across Victoria and South Australia with annual awards issued in each of these states. The WCA Board and state chapters select the nominees from each state, with the final winner determined by the WCA National Board.

Legend of the Vine Peter Hayes AM. Photo: John Kruger

Royal Adelaide Wine Show winners announced

Boutique producers have taken home many of the gongs at South Australia’s annual wine show, while the spirits industry also shared in the honours.

A small Clare Valley winery, established less than 20 years ago, has claimed one of the most prestigious trophies at this year’s Royal Adelaide Wine Show, announced at the Adelaide Showground in October. Naked Run Wines won the Gramp, Hardy, Hill Smith Prize for National White Wine of Provenance for the 2022, 2015 and 2012 vintages of The First Riesling, made from single vineyard fruit grown at Sevenhill. The Max Schubert AM Trophy for Most Outstanding Red Wine in Show was won by another boutique producer, Sutton Grange Winery from Central Victoria, for their Sutton Grange Estate Syrah 2019. They also won the Best Shiraz and Best Shiraz 2019 and Older trophies. The 2022 Royal Adelaide Wine Show attracted 2,588 entries from 350 exhibitors. Vale wine region topping the medal tally with 145.

Chair of Judges Peter James (PJ) Charteris said there was a strong set of results across many classes. “The 22 Rieslings and Semillons were nothing short of exceptional, with balance, purity and varietal expression leading the way,” he said. “Chardonnay continues to deliver with complexity and stylistic focus, making this class very strong as well as very enjoyable to judge. “On the red side of the ledger, Shiraz, Pinot and Grenache are the leading lights. On top of this, the Grenache blends show the depth of this area and a window into a possible warmer future.” The Red Wine of Provenance trophy was won by wine industry legend, Hardy’s, for the 2020, 2014 and 2008 vintages of their Eileen Hardy Shiraz. The George Fairbrother Memorial Trophy for Most Outstanding White Wine in Show was won by Penfolds for their Penfolds Bin A Chardonnay 2021. They also took home the Governor’s Trophy for Best South Australian White Wine in Show and Best Chardonnay in Show. Hentley Farm won the Governor’s Trophy for Best South Australian Red Wine in Show with their The Stray Grenache Shiraz 2021, as well as the Best Other Red Blend in Show title.

The Champion Spirit of Show trophy was won by Prohibition Liquor Co for their Juniperus Gin. The chair of the Wine Show committee, Greg Follett, also announced the new Royal Adelaide Wine Show Bursary, which honours the contributions of wine industry educator and researcher, Philip Laffer AM, to the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA. The one-year, $5,000 bursary will support a student undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in viticulture or oenology at an Australian university. Entries for the inaugural bursary close on November 28 and will be awarded on December 9.