Sally Evans named as 2024 WCA NSW Legend of the Vine

Sally Evans, the daughter of wine industry great Len Evans, has been awarded ‘Legend of the Vine’ status at the Wine Communicators of Australia Trophy Winners Lunch for the Sydney Royal Wine Show last Friday, honoured for her years of contribution to the Australian wine industry.

Evans is the twelfth person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in NSW, and joins a national list that includes Liz Riley, Andrew Caillard MW, Sandra Przibilla, Lyndey Milan, Huon Hooke, Clive Hartley, Iain Riggs, Rob Hirst and David Lowe.

Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) executive chair, Angus Barnes said that the group was delighted to honour Evans with the award.

“Whilst small in stature, she is very mighty in her contributions and is a true friend to the Australian wine industry.” said Barnes.

Evans said that receiving the Legend of the Vine status was ‘beyond her wildest dreams’.

“It’s an incredible honour to join such a stellar list of contributors, many of them my own mentors and friends,” said Evans. “I am just so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful industry (since birth) and proud to have been able to do my bit along the way.”

Evans has wine in her blood as daughter of wine legend Len Evans, but she only joined the industry herself after her business studies and travels took her to Paris and then London, where she became the wine buyer for Michael Morgan. This was followed by a long stint back in Australia as the McWilliams Wine Group marketing manager, where she was the first female member of the executive team, and held multiple board positions, including Tower Estate and also overseeing the Family Wine Company.

With over 20 years of wine marketing, communicating and consulting under her belt, she also has a very distinguished career in volunteering. She became involved in the Len Evans Tutorial and Len Evans Foundation in 2006 and is currently the chair of this organisation.

Evans became a councillor at the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW in 2010, where she contributed to a wide range of projects and initiatives, including the RAS Foundation, the charitable arm of the RAS NSW.

She was also involved in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Competition and was chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Show Committee for 6 years. Evans is still on the committee and is also currently a member of the RAS Board.