Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) has announced that wine educator, judge, sommelier and writer, Clive Hartley, has been named as the 2017 NSW Legend of the Vine.
The award recognises Hartley’s 20 years in the Australian Wine Industry, which has seen him help develop the wine education program at the Northern Sydney Institute, and establish the Sydney Wine Academy at Ryde College.
Hartley also played an integral role in the introduction of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust program at the Sydney Wine Academy and he remains a champion of the WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits.
WCA National Chair, Angus Barnes, commended Hartley on the award and all his work for Australia’s wine industry. Barnes presented the award to Hartley’s colleague, friend and fellow wine educator Ian Bailey at the Sydney Royal Wine Show lunch (pictured), as Hartley was unable to attend.
“The Legend of the Vine Award aims to recognise individuals who’ve made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry, and Clive is incredibly deserving of this honour,” Barnes said.
“His dedication to education – be that through his writing, the Sydney Wine Academy or his consultation work in the broader industry – has positioned him in high regard and Clive is seen as a mentor to many – from keen amateurs through to seasoned professionals.”
The Legend of the Vine Award was first introduced in New South Wales in 2011, and has since extended to Victoria and South Australia, with annual awards issued in each state.
Hartley is the seventh person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in NSW, with other national recipients including WCA Patron James Halliday, Kathleen Quealey, Rob Hirst, Patrick Iland, David Lowe, Phil Laffer, Chris Anstee, Ross Brown, Colin Campbell, Iain Riggs and Bill Hardy.