Three wine industry icons honoured

A trio of wine industry icons have been honoured at a special awards presentation in Adelaide. 

John Angove AM (Angaston), Colin Campbell (Rutherglen) and Wolf Blass AM (Adelaide) were all named as Life Members of the Australian Wine Industry.

Colin Campbell of Campbells Wines

All of the men are household name and their efforts in the nation’s vineyards, wineries and boardrooms have helped create a vibrant modern industry and brought Australian wines to the attention of consumers around the world, the Winemakers Federation of Australia said. 

“John, Colin and Wolf have been named Life Members of the Australian Wine Industry, an award proudly administered by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and presented at the home of another wine icon, Grange Hermitage, here at TWE’s Magill Estate,” said Federation president Tony D’Aloisio AM.

Maybe someone should tell Mr D'Aloisio that Penfolds Grange has not been called Grange Hermitage for over a decade. 

  

“This coveted life member award recognises outstanding leadership and contribution to the nation’s wine industry over and above an individual’s career achievements,” he added.

“In the case of John, Colin and Wolf – they have given in spades!”

Former Jacob's Creek chief winemaker Philip Laffer AM was the inaugural recipient of the award, and was inducted in 2014.

A message to the Winemakers Federation. If you are going to make an announcement of significance like this, 4.10pm on a Thursday before a four-day weekend is probably not the best time to send out an email if you want to gain any attention. Particularly as the awards dinner was held on Wednesday night. 

When I requested an image of the trio two hours after receiving my email, everyone had gone home and will not be back in the office until Tuesday. A pity.