ASVO 2022 finalists announced

The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 ASVO Viticulturist of the Year, sponsored by Syngenta Australia, ASVO Winemaker of the Year, sponsored by Sentia and ASVO Wine Science and Technology award, sponsored by Winecheck.

In 2022, we are pleased to introduce a new award category, the ASVO Wine Science and Technology award. This award aims to recognise those working in the fields of wine laboratories, grape and wine Science, education and/or extension with a direct industry application and application of technology. All three awards honour an outstanding individual who demonstrates a broad positive contribution to the Australian wine industry, improvement from standard practice in their field through adoption of innovative practices, technologies or standards, and contributes positively to the culture of their organisation and the broader wine industry.

The 2022 ASVO Viticulturist of the Year finalists

Nick Dry, Foundation Viticulture


Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Viticultural Science) from the University of Adelaide in December 2000. He was first employed by the Orlando Wyndham Group and spent three years working as a viticulturist in the South-East and Riverland.  In 2004 he was appointed to the newly created position of Rootstock Project Manager with the Phylloxera Board of South Australia.  While with the Phylloxera board he wrote 'Grapevine rootstocks: selection and management for South Australian vineyards'. Between 2008-2019 Nick managed Yalumba Nursery, during which time he developed an extensive knowledge of variety, clone and rootstock performance, along with an intimate understanding of grapevine trunk disease, grapevine virus, germplasm management and nursery practices.  In September 2019 he was awarded the Gourmet Traveller WINE Viticulturist of the year and at the start of November 2019 he parted ways with Yalumba to start his own consulting business ‘Foundation Viticulture’.  As a consultant, Nick has been involved with a diverse range of projects including developing planting and redevelopment strategies, working on propagation supply chain strategy as well as technical communication projects. Nick is currently engaged by Wine Australia as the National Grapevine Collection coordinator.


‘I am super proud and humbled to be nominated for these awards and excited for the opportunity to further promote the messages, objectives and activities of the National Grapevine Collection’ said Nick.

 

Richard Leask, Leask Agri


Richard is an early adopter of alternative (climate-appropriate) varieties and rootstock use on traditional varieties in McLaren Vale. Richard has developed his own viticultural system based on the principles of Regenerative Agriculture (increasing soil carbon levels and soil microbial diversity) on 120Ha of family-owned and client vineyards in McLaren Vale. The family wine brand Hither & Yon became South Australia’s first carbon neutral wine brand under the Climate Active program in January 2021. Richard aspires to be a net positive wine producer in the future.

“Standing still is not an option I have always felt the need to continually challenge what we do and how we do it. The industry is going through a period of change and collaboration is one of its great strengths, I have been fortunate to receive this generosity from many people around the globe and I have a strong desire to reciprocate when able” said Richard.

 

Chris Rogers, Rogers Viticulture

Chris Rogers is an independent Viticultural Consultant providing tailored services to winegrape growers, wineries, and wine industry organisations, with a focus on the Barossa, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale wine regions. Chris covers all aspects of viticultural management with specialist knowledge in vine nutrition, irrigation management, vineyard assessment and managing vineyards to achieve wine style and quality goals. Chris is a big believer in taking a holistic approach for the long term.

Among my proudest contributions to the Australian grape and wine industry is the work I do for Barossa Vine Improvement which encompasses leadership, supporting growers and nurseries, developing new clones and technologies, continuing the work of my predecessors and leaving a valuable legacy for the future,” said Chris.

 

The 2022 ASVO Winemaker of the Year finalists

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.

 

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.’

 

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.

 

 

The 2022 ASVO Wine Science and Technology finalists

Nick Dry, Foundation Viticulture


Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Viticultural Science) from the University of Adelaide in December 2000. He was first employed by the Orlando Wyndham Group and spent three years working as a viticulturist in the South-East and Riverland.  In 2004 he was appointed to the newly created position of Rootstock Project Manager with the Phylloxera Board of South Australia.  While with the Phylloxera board he wrote 'Grapevine rootstocks: selection and management for South Australian vineyards'. Between 2008-2019 Nick managed Yalumba Nursery, during which time he developed an extensive knowledge of variety, clone and rootstock performance, along with an intimate understanding of grapevine trunk disease, grapevine virus, germplasm management and nursery practices.  In September 2019 he was awarded the Gourmet Traveller WINE Viticulturist of the year and at the start of November 2019 he parted ways with Yalumba to start his own consulting business ‘Foundation Viticulture’.  As a consultant, Nick has been involved with a diverse range of projects including developing planting and redevelopment strategies, working on propagation supply chain strategy as well as technical communication projects. Nick is currently engaged by Wine Australia as the National Grapevine Collection coordinator.


‘I am super proud and humbled to be nominated for these awards and excited for the opportunity to further promote the messages, objectives and activities of the National Grapevine Collection’ said Nick.

 

Darren Fahey, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)


Working across NSW wine regions since 2014, Darren has been instrumental in delivering easily adoptable practice change for grape growers. Co-designed with growers, his efforts to improve vineyard management practices and outcomes have seen him research the use of antitranspirants to manipulate ripening and reduce vintage compression while producing lower alcohol wines. His investigations into the alternate uses of grape marc have led to the development of a high fibre, low sugar dietary supplement full of antioxidants and beneficial amino acids. Some of his recent trial work has included combining the use of UAVs to deliver biological control methods to reduce mite damage, the use of single over row netting applications from bunch closure all the way out to harvest to limit exposure to hail, sunburn, berry shrivel and reduce pest pressure along with exploration of numerous undervine ground covers to reduce herbicide use and improve soil, vine and grape quality. Darren has been a contributing author and editor to the NSW DPI Grapevine Management Guide each year over the last 7 years as well delivering monthly and quarterly weather updates that cover 11 wine regions delivered through the NSW DPI VineWatch newsletters.

“My primary passion is viticulture however, I love pulling together a wine masterclass, I have put several on over the years covering Riesling, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Durif. Taking these events to the regions and filling a room with 70 to 100 keen wine industry participants really makes all the effort worthwhile, if I can generate small gains in changing their vineyard or winery practices through these events, I feel I have been successful”, said Darren.

 

Simon Nordestgaard, AWRI


Simon Nordestgaard has worked in wine industry research and development for 18 years. This has included an engineering PhD relating to grape pressing and projects on heat stabilisation, refrigeration efficiency, lees management, wine transport, ferment and level sensors, autonomous tractors, and surveying industry practices and technology adoption. He enjoys implementing new technologies and understanding how technologies and practices have evolved.

“I love working in the Australian wine industry and learning about and applying new technologies. It is a great honour to be nominated for the 2022 ASVO Wine Science & Technology Award” said Simon.