 The award was given last night at the Prowein wine fair in Düsseldorf at a gala dinner. The Award is given every year to honour winemakers respected and admired by their peer group for their global achievements in fine wine.
Gago, who marked his tenth vintage as chief winemaker at Penfold's this year overseeing production of Grange and other top wines like Bin 389 and Yattarna Chardonnay, was "naturally chuffed and thankful," and said the award highlighted international recognition of the quality of Australian winemaking, according to the Australian. He did express guilt at being away from home at the harvest time.
Lynne Sherriff from the IMW said Gago continually managed to take the iconic Penfold's brand to new heights. "He seems to constantly innovate, care-take and raise the bar of one of the world's most appreciated and valued wine labels," she said.
Penfold's is owned by Treasury Wine Estates, a spin-off company of Foster’s. Last October, it was named one of the top 100 wineries in the world by influential US industry magazine Wine and Spirits, the 21st consecutive year in which it has made the list.
The winery is also celebrating 50th vintage of the Bin 389 which is generally referred to as baby Grange and at $75 is considered one of the world’s best value-for-money premier wines and has a huge global demand.
Treasury Wine Estates CEO David Dearie has said the company will focus its expansion efforts on high-end wines, where an excess of demand is driving increased sales and boosting margins. The last vintage of Grange was historical in that it was released in Shanghai as it has become extremely coveted brand in China. Penfold's will release the 2007 vintage of Grange along with other 'luxury and icon' wines including Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon on May 1.
Penfold’s wines are imported in India by Mohan Bros for almost a decade. |