Great wines are often made by a team.
In the case of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, that team comprises winemaker Sue Hodder, her offsider Sarah Pidgeon and viticulturist Allen Jenkins.
But that team is about to be split up with today's announcement that Jenkins will retire following this year’s Wynnsday collection release on Wednesday.
Jenkins has spent 20 years working on the many vineyards that Wynns has in the Coonawarra region.
“It is incredibly rewarding to have led Wynns’ talented viticultural team for the past 20 years," he said.
"We have a profound respect for our heritage, each other, and the precious environment that is Coonawarra.
"There is an intense focus on the needs of the vines, on implementing new and courageous viticultural techniques, and on unravelling the endlessly complex web of interactions involved in growing the perfect grape.”
Hodder, who has worked with Jenkins for two decades, says: “Allen has literally transformed the landscape in Coonawarra though his viticultural efforts. Furthermore, he has had an impact on the way we think about everything from the history to the land and certainly the wines. A profound contribution and a massive legacy."
Jenkins helped craft vines that allowed Hodder to craft wines of greate finesse and elegance.
In 2010, in recognition of his contribution to viticulture at Wynns he was joint recipient, with Sue Hodder, of the Gourmet Traveller WINE’Winemaker of the Year award.
He has also helped nurture the careers of many of today’s wine industry leaders.
Stay tuned for a review of the new Wynns releases later this week.
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