Breaking news: Winemaker of the Year named

Adam Wadewitz, who makes wines for Shaw + Smith, Tolpuddle and MMAD, has been named Winemaker of the Year 2022 by The Wine Magazine.

Wadewitz has spent the last 10 vintages as chief winemaker at Shaw + Smith in the Adelaide Hills, and Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley in Tasmania.

More recently, he has also made the MMAD Vineyard wines from Blewitt Springs.

Wadewitz’s first job was at Wirra Wirra before working vintages in the Napa Valley and then in the Jura in eastern France.

Back home, he spent time at Brokenwood in the Hunter Valley before completing his winemaking degree at Adelaide University.

Adam worked in Great Western from vintages 2006 to 2012, making the 2012 Jimmy Watson-winning Best’s Bin 1 Shiraz 2011 before moving back to his home state to work with Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW at Shaw + Smith in 2013.

He was dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in 2009 and is a respected wine show judge.

Wadewitz is now chief winemaker and joint-CEO of Shaw + Smith, having adding single vineyard wines to the range and overseen significant changes in farming practices including the move to more organic practices and certification.

Michael Hill Smith MW said: “Adam is a natural leader and deep thinker - a once-in-a-generation winemaker at the height of his powers.”

Peter Forrestal, chairman of judges, said: “Adam Wadewitz is collaborative, charismatic, supremely talented and at the top of his game. He has led a strong team at Shaw + Smith to undreamt of heights with the Adelaide Hills collection and revitalised an ancient Blewitt Springs vineyard with unique chenin, shiraz and grenache under the MMAD label.

@Ten vintages of the Tolpuddle wines has been enough to earn them a place in the top echelons of Australian wine, making them essential elements of any great Aussie wine list: iconic status awaits.”

Nadja Wallington of ChaLou was named as inspirational Young Winemaker of the Year, while . Viticulturist of the Year was awarded to Liz Riley of the Hunter Valley.

Dr Andrew Pirie AM of of Apogee in Tasmania was recognised for his tireless work for the wine industry, winning the Len Evans Award for Leadership.