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The Australian winemaker and estate owner Stephen Henschke from Eden Valley (Barossa) has received the prestigious award 'Winemakers’ Winemaker'. It is awarded annually by the 'Institute of Masters of Wine' (IMW) and the British industry magazine 'Drinks Business' at ProWein in Düsseldorf.
Henschke is a fifth-generation winemaker; his winery, founded in 1861, is one of the most renowned in Australia. After studying science at the University of Adelaide, he initially gained viticulture experience in the Hunter Valley, and together with his wife Prue, he went to Germany from 1975 to 1977. At the Geisenheim University, the two refined their knowledge of cellar techniques and the breeding and cultivation of vines.
In 1979, he took over the estate management from his father, Cyril Henschke. Thereafter, the winemaking couple introduced innovative cellar techniques while also adhering to the traditions of their ancestors. In the early 1980s, they founded the 'Lenswood' project to improve grape quality in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills growing regions. Today, he and Prue, along with their three children, continue the Henschke legacy. The family owns vineyards in Eden and Barossa Valley as well as in Adelaide Hills, with the single vineyards Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. The family produces Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Nebbiolo, Barbera, Grenache, and Tempranillo. For white wine, he primarily focuses on Riesling, along with Pinot Gris, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The editor-in-chief of The Drinks Business, Patrick Schmitt MW, praised Henschke as 'someone who not only possesses deep knowledge but is also humble and exceptionally talented.' With the support of his wife Prue, an outstanding viticulture expert, Henschke has 'spent decades perfecting wines from some of the most significant and historically valuable vineyards in the world.' Thus, he is a 'more than worthy recipient of this prestigious award.'.
Stephen Henschke could not personally accept the award due to the early harvest. Schmitt presented it at the ceremony in Düsseldorf to his son Johann Henschke, who represents the sixth generation of the family winery as a winemaker.
The 'Winemaker’s Winemaker' award has been presented annually since 2011 by the 'Institute of Masters of Wine' and the magazine 'The Drinks Business'. It honors outstanding achievements in viticulture and is awarded by a jury of esteemed winemakers, all of whom hold the title 'Master of Wine.' Previous award winners include Peter Sisseck (2011), Peter Gago (2012), Anne-Claude Leflaive (2014), Egon Müller (2015), Alvaro Palacios (2016), Eben Sadie (2017), Jean-Claude Berrouet (2018), and Angelo Gaja (2019).
(uka / Press Release)