Peter Hayes was named the South Australia's Legend of the Vine in front of many of his wine industry associates and colleagues at the WCA Royal Adelaide Wine and Spirits Show Trophy Winners Lunch on Friday.

The prestigious award recognises Hayes's outstanding contribution to the industry. His diverse career spans over 30 years and includes lasting contributions to education and training, R&D investment and management, viticultural operations, and industry advocacy and development. He was recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and has been a Council Member of the Australian Wine Research Institute, President of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), and Chair of McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association.

National WCA Executive Officer Andrew Stark said, “We are honoured to be able to recognise one of the great contributors to our wine community in Peter Hayes. Peter has been a tireless builder and advocate, contributing to the success of many wine businesses over the years, as well as the sector as a whole.”

Hayes is the eighth person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in SA, joining a prestigious national list that includes Brian Croser AO, Pam Dunsford, Tony Love, Brian Walsh, d’Arry Osborne, Bill Hardy, and Patrick Iland.

Hayes is also a society ‘fellow’ of the ASVO, a title given to members who have made a particularly outstanding and meritorious contribution to the grape and wine industry. The criteria for this award include making a major contribution in an industry, scientific, educational or Society role and having been a member of the Society for at least 10 years.

The 2022 Royal Adelaide Wine Show attracted 2,588 entries from 350 exhibitors. A total of 1,273 medals were awarded, including 129 gold, with the McLaren Vale wine region topping the medal tally with 145. A number of trophies for the best wines and spirits in Australia were also announced at the lunch, including:

  • Max Schubert AM Trophy for Most Outstanding Red Wine in Show: Sutton Grange Winery from Central Victoria for the Sutton Grange Estate Syrah 2019. The wine also won the Best Shiraz and Best Shiraz 2019 and Older trophies.
  • George Fairbrother Memorial Trophy for Most Outstanding White Wine in Show: Penfolds Wines – Bin A Chardonnay 2021 which also won Governor’s Trophy for Best South Australian White Wine in Show and Best Chardonnay in Show.
  • Gramp Hardy Hill Smith Prize for Outstanding Wine of Provenance: Naked Run Wines – The First Riesling 2022, 2015, 2012. Naked Run Wines sis a mall Clare Valley winery, established less than 20 years ago. The wine is made from single vineyard fruit grown at Sevenhill.
  • The Red Wine of Provenance: Hardy’s Wines for the 2020, 2014 and 2008 vintages of their Eileen Hardy Shiraz
  • Champion Spirit of Show: Prohibition Liquor Co Juniperus Gin

DeBortoli Wines Noble One Semillon 2020 won best sweet white table wine, Sparkling went to Golding Wines' Marjorie Blanc De Blancs Chardonnay 2016 and Coles Liquor's James Busby ‘Vineyard Series’ Tasmania Pinot Noir 2021.

Chair of Judges Peter James (PJ) Charteris said there was a strong set of results across many classes.

“The 22 Rieslings and Semillons were nothing short of exceptional, with balance, purity and varietal expression leading the way,” he said. “Chardonnay continues to deliver with complexity and stylistic focus, making this class very strong as well as very enjoyable to judge.

“On the red side of the ledger, Shiraz, Pinot and Grenache are the leading lights. On top of this the Grenache blends show the depth of this area and a window into a possible warmer future.”

South Australia's Fleurieu Distillery was the recipient of the trophy for the champion whiskey for its Country to Coast Batch #3.

A full list of results is available here.

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