GAGO AND PENFOLDS CREW SUPERGONG

Peter Gago, far left, with Steve Lienert and the Penfolds winemaking crew, old and new, surround Thelma Schubert at Ray Beckwith's 100th birthday party on the eve of vintage 2012. Photo Richard Humphrys 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 

Winemaker’s Winemaker 2012 Announced

Düsseldorf, Germany, Monday March 5, 2012

Australia’s PETER GAGO, Penfolds Chief Winemaker, was today awarded the Institute of Masters of Wine / the drinks business Winemaker’s Winemaker award at the world’s largest annual Wine Fair, ProWein.

The Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business initiated the Winemaker’s Winemaker Award last year – 2011 – in which a distinguished group of international winemakers, together with the Institute and the drinks business, honour a winemaker respected and admired by their peer group in respect of what they have achieved with fine wines on the global stage.

Peter Gago commented: “This award offers outstanding global recognition for Australian winemaking - winemaking on the other side of the world, winemaking spanning almost two centuries.  Naturally, it’s a terrific accolade for the Penfolds winemaking team – past & current.  By years of Penfolds service (only 23!), I am still almost the most ‘junior’ member of this team.  I’m naturally chuffed and thankful.  I’m also feeling guilty – it’s harvest, and I’m 12,000 miles away!  Payback, no doubt, awaits when I return in a day or so!”

Lynne Sherriff MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine said, “The Institute of Masters of Wine & the drinks business are delighted to present this award to Peter Gago, a man who commits heart and soul to everything he does.  It cannot be easy to manage an iconic brand and continue to take it to a new level, but he seems to constantly innovate and raise the bar of one of the world’s most appreciated and valued wine labels. 

“This recognition is from not only the Institute and the drinks business, but also a distinguished global panel of winemakers.  Our inaugural winner of the Winemaker’s Winemaker Award, Peter Sisseck from Spanish winery Pingus, was instrumental in the selection of this year’s winner, and we look forward to Peter Gago joining the panel for subsequent awards.”

About the Institute of Masters of Wine:  The Institute of Masters of Wine, through its members and activities, promotes excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community.  From its beginnings in the British wine trade in 1953, the Institute’s membership of nearly 300 now spans 23 countries while its study, examination and events programmes are conducted annually on a worldwide basis.

About the drinks business: As Europe’s leading drinks trade publication, the drinks business is at the forefront of what is happening in the drinks industry. The magazine highlights the latest developments and trends in the industry, as well as making a contribution to the trade with analysis, debate and opinion.