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David Bicknell, Oakridge Wines A veteran of 31 Yarra Valley vintages plus harvest winemaking stints in Burgundy, Alsace and Beaujolais, David Bicknell has been the chief winemaker of Oakridge Wines since 2002. He is a Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year Winner (2017), a past Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial (2005) and co-founder of the Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (2002). He is a respected senior wine show judge, which has included tenures as the Chair of Judges at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards and the Royal Queensland Wine Show plus many smaller regional and varietal wine shows. He is the current Chair of Judges at the National Wine Show of Australia. In his spare time, he grows grapes for his own family label, Applecross and absorbs as much football of all codes as he can take.
"I am honoured to be recognised by the industry. We are lucky to have an industry that is full of knowledge, ideas and technical know-how. The ASVO has been a pivotal piece in that transfer of information by allowing us to connect with folk across the country, to share that expertise and to pass it on to others whenever we can" said David.
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| Sarah Crowe, Yarra Yering Vineyard After studying and working in Horticulture Sarah began her wine career with vineyard work in the Hunter Valley and within three years had become Brokenwood’s Assistant Winemaker. Building on her experience Sarah completed international harvests in both Oregon and the Rhone Valley. Wine Show Judging has been part of Sarah’s calendar year since 2007 including both regional and capital city wine shows. Sarah’s first role as Chair of Judges was at the Hunter Valley Wine Show in 2018 and she has since added Chair of Judges at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show and Gippsland Wine Show. 2022 will be Sarah’s first year as Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Show. After 12 years in the Hunter Valley Sarah made the move to the Yarra Valley joining the team at Yarra Yering in 2013 to focus on one single iconic vineyard site. The vineyard is central to wine quality and Sarah considers the Yarra Yering vineyard to be the best she has ever worked with. Now in the role of Winemaker and General Manager, Sarah hopes to continue to build on the reputation started in 1969 with the first vineyard plantings at Yarra Yering. Since arriving at Yarra Yering Sarah has been named both Gourmet Traveller WINE and James Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year. Yarra Yering has received James Halliday’s Winery of the Year and Wine of the Year, as well as The Real Review’s Winery of the Year.
Sarah commented ‘It is a great honour to be named amongst the finalists for the ASVO Winemaker of the Year for 2022. Previous award winners and finalists include many of my mentors, Australia’s finest winemakers and good friends. Talented people who selflessly share their knowledge for the greater good of our industry and their communities. Being part of a small vineyard and working in a small team, the embrace of the broader wine community has even greater meaning to me and industry participation has become a priority.’
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| John Hughes, Reislingfreak Starting Rieslingfreak 13 years ago, John never imagined it would have the profile it has today. He has enjoyed seeing the label grow with the demand of Sommeliers and Wine Buyers in Australia. It has been a joy to see Rieslingfreak has also had an influence on the demand for Australian Riesling. Rieslingfreak is involved with the local Winemakers organisation, the Barossa Australia and Clare Valley Winemakers. With the Barossa, John has developed and Chaired ‘Riesling Eden Valley’, which involves several events promoting Eden Valley Riesling. With Clare, he runs an annual Riesling tasting each year, bringing together the producers, media and promoting Clare Riesling. With national support for Rieslingfreak, it also has allowed John to give back to the community several ways, including local sporting organisations, local events, and through his time on a number of local boards. John is most proud of the Kicking Goals Scholarship run through Foundation Barossa. This scholarship is now sponsored by several local businesses and was designed for kids in high school with a disability. They receive mentorship from John, and his sole aim is to get the recipients into further education or employment post school.
"Rieslingfreak is all about the passion of Riesling. I am in love with the variety, and the versatility of the grape. With my inspiration coming from both on and offshore, I believe Rieslingfreak is pushing the diversity of Riesling, through various styles. We have seen our boundaries inspire other Australian winemakers, which has only increased the profile and demand of Australian Riesling." said John.
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