By Andy Young
The Young Gun of Wine event, which showcases the best up-and-coming winemakers in Australia has announced the top 12 finalists for this year’s awards.
The awards have four trophies including Wine Australia Best New Act, the People’s Choice, Ocean Eight Winemaker’s Choice and the Riedel Young Gun of Wine.
This year’s finalists consist of six winemakers from South Australia, two from Western Australia and Tasmania and one each from Victoria and NSW/ACT. There are also five female winemakers among the finalists, including one in a husband and wife duo.
The wines themselves make a diverse statement of Australian wine today, from traditional varietals such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Shiraz, through to emerging varietals such as Gruner Veltliner and Sagrantino. There’s biodynamic and natural wines; and reimagined wines, such as a Riesling infused with native botanicals, and a ‘field blend’ of 10 varieties.
The Final 12 winemakers are:
NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT
- Chris Carpenter from Lark Hill Biodynamic Wines, Canberra District
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
- John Hughes from Rieslingfreak, Clare Valley
- Michael Downer from Murdoch Hill, Adelaide Hills
- Anna Hooper from Cape Jaffa, Limestone Coast
- Charlotte Hardy from Charlotte Dalton Wines, Adelaide Hills
- Rob Mack from Aphelion Wine Co., McLaren Vale
- Vanessa Altmann from Switch Organic Wine, Eden Valley
TASMANIA
- Peter Dredge from Meadowbank, Tasmania
- Ricky Evans from Two Tonne, Tasmania
VICTORIA
- Stuart Proud from Proud Primary Produce, Yarra Valley
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- Yoko & Andries Mostert from Brave New Wine, Great Southern
- Remi Guise from tipe.Iscariot, Margaret River
This year’s judges include Nick Stock (Gourmet Traveller WINE, et al) Mike Bennie (Delicious, et al), Emma Farrelly (State Building), Philip Rich (The Lucas Group), Pip Anderson (MONA), Josh Elias (Alquimie), Rory Kent (Young Gun of Wine Founder and Executive Style and Josephine Perry (Dormilona, 2016 Young Gun of Wine winner) and the winners will be announced at the Young Gun of Wine Awards ceremony on June 20.