2016 Scholars
Adam Clay ○ Penfolds ○ Winemaker
Peter Dillon ○ Handpicked Wines ○ Senior Winemaker
Peter Fraser ○ Yangarra Estate Vineyard ○ GM / Winemaker
Kate Laurie ○ Deviation Road ○ Winemaker / Owner
Stuart Hordern (Dux) ○ Brokenwood Wines ○ Senior Winemaker
Luke Jolliffe ○ Stella Bella Wines ○ Senior Winemaker
Addy Lam ○ Head Sommelier ○ Black by Ezard
Ramon Arnavas ○ Stokehouse Brisbane ○ Sommelier
Simon Black ○ Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove ○ Winemaker
Penny Jones ○ Bay of Fires ○ Winemaker / Manager
Paul Beaton ○ Aria Restaurant ○ Head Sommelier
Wes Pearson ○ Australian Wine Research Institute ○ Senior Scientist
2016 Len Evans Tutorial
The Len Evans Tutorial Dux for 2016 is Stuart Hordern, Senior Winemaker at Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley.
Stuart becomes only the second Hunter Valley based attendee to dux the week-long Tutorial, following Liz Silkman (nee Jackson) in 2006.
The Len Evans Tutorial is also this year’s recipient of the McWilliam’s Maurice O’Shea Award. This prestigious biennial award, first presented in 1990, acknowledges the significant contribution of an individual or company to the Australian Wine Industry. A fitting tribute to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of Tutorial Founder, Len Evans AO OBE, in 2006.
As Dux of the 2016 course, Stuart has now been guaranteed judging positions at two of Australia’s most premier wine shows, the Sydney Royal Wine Show and the National Wine Show in Canberra.
Len Evans Tutorial Trustee, James Halliday noted that Stuart judged exceedingly well across the four varietal sections and was the highest placed scholar on the Shiraz Dissertation.
Stuart will be flown business class to Europe with invitations to the greatest wine houses.
Many of the rarest, oldest, and greatest wines were opened in one extraordinary week when 12 young(ish) Australian wine personnel were put through the sternest and most rewarding tastings of their lives.
Len Evans Tutorial Convener and Tutor, Iain Riggs said: “The Trustees recognise the ongoing need for high calibre Australian wine show judges, and agree that the industry needs, now more than ever, highly-trained professionals to take the premium Australian wine message to a greater audience.
“These are the people at the forefront of grape growing, winemaking and selling premium wine. The dramatic increase in sales of imported wine shows a sophisticated consumer. A better awareness of premium Australian wine and where it sits in relation to imported wine, is essential to the industry getting its message out to the world.”
Scholars from past Tutorials are now gracing the judging benches at all major wine shows across Australia. In the year 2016/17; Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne will all be chaired by Len Evans Tutorial scholars, who will also lead a number of state and regional wine shows.
Scholars come from the fields of winemaking, viticulture, liquor retailing, restaurant, marketing and journalism.
Twelve fully paid scholarships are offered, each with wine, food and accommodation valued at $10,000. The only cost incurred by the scholars is physically getting to the Hunter Valley.
The Tutors for the 2016 Len Evans Tutorial were James Halliday, Ian McKenzie, Iain Riggs, Gary Steel, Vanya Cullen, Tom Carson, Tyson Stelzer and Michael Hill Smith.
The 2016 Len Evans Tutorial was held in the Hunter Valley from 31 October to 4 November.
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"The opportunity to contrast and compare the finest Australian wines with the great wines of the world, combined with the experience, knowledge and generosity of the tutors; the camaraderie with my fellow scholars, it all combines to make the greatest week in my wine career. Representing the Hunter Valley as also a real thrill. One of the great institutions in Australian Wine and long may it reign."
