21 Most Influential Liquor Identities of the last 21 Ye

Top 21
Some of the ‘Top 21’.
Back row, L-R: John Casella, Huon Hooke, Tony Leon, Bruce Tyrrell, AM, Doug May, Andrew Kemeny, Fay McGuigan
(representing Brian McGuigan, AM), Jodie Evans (representing her father, the late Len Evans, AO OBE).
Front row, L-R: Lisa McGuigan, Sir James Hardy, OBE and Stephen Henschke
Top 21
To celebrate our 21st issue, Drinks Trade
magazine pays homage to the ’21
Most Influential Liquor Identities of the
last 21 Years’. Katrina Holden reports
on whom the industry voted for.
N
o-one lets a ‘21’ milestone go by unnoticed so at Drinks
Trade we decided to recognise and pay tribute to the 21
Most Influential Liquor Identities of the past 21 years.
After discussion with industry, it was felt it was time to focus
on the positives and celebrate the champions of our industry.
We went widely to the industry and invited nominations based
on our selection criteria and our definition of ‘influential’:
“A liquor industry identity, working in the
Australian liquor business some time in the last
21 years or currently, who has exerted capability,
supremacy, leverage and prevalence in their
particular field. They may have had influence,
32 drinks trade
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Over 160 nominations were culled to a lit of 72 individuals. The
finalists were listed via Big Pulse - an online polling company, and
voting was open for the month of October 2010. In all, 2343 individuals
participated in the voting - a very positive response and the general
reaction amongst those who voted was an appreciation of the positive
intent of these nominations. A number of the ‘Top 21’ finalists and
nominees were in attendance at the Liquor Merchants Association of
Australia annual Christmas lunch in November at Sydney’s Doltone
House in which both finalists and nominees were honoured.
Some online voter’s comments included:
It is those who have achieved greatness for themselves through
their leadership of the liquor industry who should be celebrated.
Changing the game by doing little things they don’t have to do, but
feel compelled to do, is the measure of an influential person.
Very interesting details given with each and every person.
Thank goodness to them on behalf of our business industry.
Thank you for the opportunity to vote for all these wonderful
people who have done so much for the industry.
As a former director of the LMAA, I think this is terrific initiative to honour
the people who have made a significant contribution to the liquor industry.
These people have, over the years, continued to show the
world the Australian industry is alive with talent, passion and
ingenuity. They are true visionaries and provide the rest of the
people in these industries the inspiration that is needed to
continue in their footsteps. Long live their achievements!
had their voice heard above others, played a
leading part in change, taken the lead, established
a trend or lead the game. He or she would be
a person of character, clout and consequence
with esteem and leadership qualities. They are
recognised as a person of significance in the
industry whose actions and accomplishments
have somehow changed the way we do business,
the way the industry operates or has led to
long-lasting change in the liquor industry
landscape. Stand-outs will have successfully
combined domination with discretion;
personality with performance; conviction with
consequence; and aims with real action.”
Good luck to all the worthy nominees. Raise your glasses to each and
every one of them who have contributed so much to the fantastic wine
industry they have all helped to create in Australia and New Zealand.
The people I selected, the products they promote are a lifetime passion
for them, stalwarts of the industry. Great that we can recognise them.
What an amazing list of great people to choose from!!!
We congratulate all our worthy nominees for their positive
contribution to the Australian liquor industry and for being
recognised from amongst their peers and competitors alike.
We would like to particularly acknowledge the ‘top’ 21 who received
the highest amount of votes for their outstanding leadership and
entrepreneurial activities that have helped shaped our vibrant liquor industry.
drinks trade 33
Top 21
21 Most Influential
Liquor Identities
Ian Atherton
Ian shaped Suntory Australia since it
began in 1984 and was responsible
for changing the face of on-premise.
He established Club Suntory in 1986,
creating a bartending ‘fraternity’. He is
recognised for his effort in driving the
evolution in the industry and inspiring,
and then rewarding, excellence. Ian is
considered to be a creative industry
leader who has helped build the
recognition of bartending as a profession,
along with developing Suntory Australia
to be one of the country’s most
respected liquor suppliers. One voter
commented: “I believe Ian Atherton
is most deserving of this as he has
developed and shaped Suntory Australia
for many years and if it wasn’t for him,
much of what is available today would
not be here.” Another voter wrote: “Ian
has been a constant, open and creative
industry leader. Ian tends to really see
the changing industry for what it really
is and always offers a positive and
constructive way of working on issues.”
Ian made the following comment in
relation to being recognised in the top
21: “It is indeed a great honor and I
am delighted to have been nominated.
This is a great initiative from LMAA to
propose such an award, considering the
hostile environment we are all currently
experiencing in the liquor industry.”
Dr Wolfgang Blass,
AM
Wolfgang set up under his own label
in 1973 after migrating from postwar Germany to the Barossa Valley
in 1961 with only 100 pounds in his
pocket. He went on to make major
inroads with export markets, focusing
strongly on marketing. In 1996 he
received an Honorary Doctorate in
Applied Science for his role in helping
develop wine exporting and for his
innovative marketing skills. In 2001,
he was appointed as a Member in the
34 drinks trade
Order of Australia (AM) for “service
to the development of the Australian
wine industry and to the promotion
of excellence in winemaking,
viticulture, marketing and research.”
One voter wrote: “Wolf has changed
the way Australians consume wine
and has created in a short amount
of time an approachable, respected
wine brand that shows its power
throughout the whole world.”
Ian Atherton
John Casella
Dr Wolfgang Blass, AM
In 2001, John Casella, for his family
company in Griffith New South Wales,
created the [yellow tail] export label,
which sold 500,000 cases in its first
year. Sales in the USA rose to 2.2
million cases in 2002. He now oversees
a company that produces 12 million
cases of [yellow tail] wine per year
for more than 50 markets, turning
Casella Wines into the largest familyowned winery in Australia. Under his
guidance, Casella Wines has continued
to support a large number of grape
growers, recently offering the majority
of their growers five-year agreements
to help see out the industry oversupply
and remain viable for the future. Of
his nomination, John Casella said
to Drinks Trade: “I am honoured to
be among such a respected group
of industry professionals. It brings
me great delight to know that the
work I have invested into our family
business has had a positive impact
on the Australian liquor industry. I’m
grateful to the LMAA, especially Drinks
Trade magazine, for this tremendous
accolade and I congratulate my
peers who also earned a place in the
top 21.” One voter explained their
nomination for John as follows: “From
humble beginnings, John has single
handedly changed the export market in
Australia. Furthermore he has remained
vigilent in ensuring the continued
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Nominees included (back row, L-R): Bruce Peachey, Clive
Hartley, Tom Maguire and from the ‘Top 21’, John Casella.
(front row, L-R:) Sven Almenning and John Murphy.
profitability of the local growers
during tough times. His dedication
to the wine industry is exceptional
and he will continue to shape the
way the industry does business.”
including the McWilliam’s Maurice
O’Shea award, and was also named
as Decanter Magazine’s ‘Man of the
Year’ in 2004. Formerly the president of
Winemakers’ Federation of Australia,
Croser developed Tapanappa Wines
with partners Champagne Bollinger
and the Cazes family from Chateau
Lynch Bages in Pauillac, Bordeaux.
Brian Croser, AO
Brian Croser, AO
Brian Croser established Petaluma in
1976, pioneering the development of
the Adelaide Hills viticultural region
with plantings of chardonnay and pinot
noir; he also planted cabernet and
merlot in Coonawarra and riesling in
Clare Valley. Brian is recognised for
his commitment to planting vines in
the regions in which they are most
suited. He was made an Officer of the
Order of Australia for his contribution
to research and education and for
service to the Australian wine industry
and has received numerous awards for
service to the Australian wine industry
Allen De Costa
Allen De Costa
Allen worked for an independent liquor
wholesaler, G&L Warehouse, until it
was taken over by Davids (now ALM)
in 1992. He continued with ALM until
2002, before moving back to Canberra
to set up Local Liquor in June 02 in
the ACT with 20 stores. Expanding the
member base of Local Liquor, he set
up an additional banner, Countrywide
Liquor – today the group has 277
Local Liquor and 150 Countrywide
drinks trade 35
Top 21
Back Row, L-R: John Raymond, Michael Walton, Fay McGuigan (representing Brian McGuigan,
AM), Jodie Evans (representing the late Len Evans A0 OBE, Lisa McGuigan and Tony Leon.
Front row, L-R: Andrew Kemeny and Neville Bayfield
members throughout ACT/NSW and
Queensland, with Local Liquor the
largest independent banner in NSW.
A voter wrote: “Allen has taken a
concept of a handful of ACT stores
in Local Liquor, and grown it to be
the largest independent liquor chain
in NSW and the ACT!” Allen himself
said of this recognition: “I believe I
have increased the profitability of my
members and given them a stronger
voice in the liquor industry. I also
believe the supplier has a confident and
effective portal in using Local Liquor
to move volume and market their
products instead of using the chains.”
(The late) Len Evans,
AO OBE
James Halliday, AM
Dr Chuck Hahn
James Halliday, AM
James Halliday is considered a leading
wine authority. He was one of the
founders of Brokenwood Wines;
founder of Coldstream Hills with his
wife Suzanne in 1985; contributor to
over 56 wine books including James
Halliday’s Wine Atlas of Australia and
The Australian Wine Encyclopedia, and
since 2000, the top-selling Australian
Wine Companion. In 1995, he was
awarded the McWilliam’s Maurice
O’Shea award. In June 2010, James
36 drinks trade
was made a Member of the Order
of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s
Birthday Honours for “service to
the wine industry as a winemaker,
show judge, author and promoter of
Australian wine internationally, and
through senior roles with a range
of professional organisations.”
“It hardly needs be said I was
delighted to be recognised by my
peers in the broader wine community,”
said James to Drinks Trade.
Image courtesy of Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine.
Len Evans is revered among the
wine industry, both in Australia
and internationally. Wine writer,
international wine judge, chairman,
director and winemaker – Len was
acknowledged as putting Australian
wine on the international radar. In
1968, he established Rothbury Estate
in the Hunter Valley, and then formed
the Petaluma winery with Brian
Croser, later founding the Evans Wine
Company in 1996 and then his most
recent ventures, Tower Estate and
Lodge in 1998. He also wrote the
first encyclopedia on Australian wine
in 1973 and was an internationally
acclaimed, respected and competent
wine judge for over 40 years. Drinks
Trade were delighted to have Len’s
daughter Jodie Evans at attendance
at the Liquor Merchants Association
of Australia annual lunch to collect an
award on behalf of her late father.
The late Len Evans,
AO OBE
Chuck has brought a wealth of
experience to the Australian brewing
scene and is largely regarded as the
single-biggest proponent of craft
brewing in this country. A holder of a
PHd in chemical engineering, Chuck
established Australia’s then-biggest
micro-brewery in 1988, Hahn Brewery.
He has been fundamental in helping
grow Australia’s craft brewing industry
with a career spanning 30 years across
the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Voters said of Chuck’s contribution:
“Chuck Hahn has changed the
face of beer in Australia. He is
the pioneer who took the craft
beer market segment within this
country to a new (national) level.
He achieved this through his singleminded determination to create
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a craft beer business within a
mainstream beer business.”
And also: “Hahn: a brewing
legend and a gentleman to boot.”
Chuck said to Drinks Trade: “I am
most honoured to receive this award
and with only three out of the 21 going
to the beer industry, it is easy to see
that the brewers have been in the
background in influencing the liquor
industry. We are finally starting to
make our mark! It’s a great honour
to be placed amongst the great
winemakers such as Jim Hardy, Bruce
Tyrrell and the late Len Evans.”
Sir James Hardy, OBE
As a winemaker, businessman,
yachting legend and community leader,
Sir James has gained international
respect for his contribution to the
Australian wine industry. Hardy’s
flagship wine, Eileen Hardy, is named
after his mother. He joined the family
company Thomas Hardy & Sons in
1953 and was appointed chairman of
directors in 1981. In 1992, he became
a non-executive director of the newly
merged company BRL Hardy Wine
Company and has held numerous
positions in the wine industry and
other businesses. He’s equally known
for his sporting achievements as a
sailor, being a world champion, dual
Olympian, Admiral’s Cup victor and
three times America’s Cup challenger.
When asked by Drinks Trade at the
Liquor Merchants Association Lunch
in Sydney to what he attributed his
success, Sir James said: “That I’ve
lasted 50 years and I’ve drunk a lot
of Hardy’s products – a lot of brandy
in the earlier days. I’m not drinking
so much brandy today but it’s been
a wonderful industry to be in.”
Back row, L-R: Stephen Henschke, Ed Carr, Bruce Tyrrell and Rob Hirst.
Front row, L-R: Andrew Thomson and Sir James Hardy, OBE
wines, including the world-renowned
‘Hill of Grace’ - which shares the
mantle with Penfolds Grange as
Australia’s most famous and expensive
wine. As proud members of Australia’s
First Families of Wine, Stephen and
Prue in 2006 were awarded the
Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of
the Year award. When asked by Drinks
Trade to what does he attribute the
pair’s success, Stephen said: “We’re
a family business, now coming into
the sixth generation. Prue and I have
put a huge amount of work into the
environmental side - going organic
and biodynamic and in the wine
quality over the past 30 years. We’ve
worked really hard and we want to
pass on what we’ve got to our kids in
a better condition than we inherited.”
Robert Hill Smith
Prue Henschke
Stephen and Prue
Henschke
Presiding over South Australian family
wine company, over 140 years old, is
fifth-generation winemaker Stephen
Henschke and his viticulturist wife,
Prue. Together, Stephen and Prue
combine the best of old world tradition
with new world technology to create
some of Australia’s most premium
Robert Hill-Smith
Fifth generation family member of
Australia’s oldest wine company,
Robert has been the managing director
of Yalumba Wine Company since 1985,
taking the business to new heights
with innovations in environmental
sustainability and as leaders in cask
wine. He set up the Old Vine Charter
to preserve and promote Australia’s
old vines. He grew Negociants to be
a multi-exporter and has contributed
to Australian wine education by
drinks trade 37
21
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Liquor Identities
Andrew Kemeny
setting up Negociants’ Working with
Wine Fellowship in 1997 - the most
comprehensive wine education
program offered in Australia. Robert
took a leadership role in driving the
premium end of the cask wine market.
His leadership skills were recognised
in 2008 when he was awarded the
prestigious ‘Len Evans’ award through
Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine. One
voter commented: “Robert Hill-Smith
is a person who is totally committed to
the wine industry and is a true visionary
in the Australian wine industry for its
advancement on the world stage.”
Huon Hooke
Huon is one of Australia’s most
respected independent wine writers,
who has been writing, judging and
educating about wine for 27 years.
With tertiary qualifications in both
wine and journalism, Huon has worked
in wineries and wine retailing and
writes a weekly column for the Sydney
Morning Herald ‘Good Living’ section
and also writes for Gourmet Traveller
WINE magazine, for which he is
contributing editor. Huon contributes
to many other publications, including
Decanter and The World of Fine Wine,
and has published 17 books on wine
including the biography of Penfolds
Grange creator Max Schubert. He
co-authored the annual Penguin Good
Australian Wine Guide for 14 years
before retiring from it in 2007. Winner
of eight awards for his wine writing,
in 2008 he was named Australia’s
Wine Communicator of the Year. As
a wine show judge since 1987, Huon
judges roughly ten competitions
a year in Australia and overseas.
Well-liked for his down-to-earth and
approachable wine writing style, Huon
said to Drinks Trade of his recognition
in the Top 21: “It was an honour to
be included. I just do my job and I
consider myself very lucky to earn
my living by making a career out of
my hobby. I’m often asked if I’m ever
stuck for something to write about,
and the answer is never: the wine
business is so dynamic that there
are always far more stories than I
have time or column-space to tell.”
Huon Hooke
Director of Kemenys Food and Liquor,
Andrew is responsible for running
Australia’s leading independent liquor
retail outlet, Kemenys, which has been
trading for 50 years in Sydney’s Bondi.
Andrew, along with his brother Gabor,
has taken the business to new heights
through initiatives such as Kemenys
Hidden Label, Kemenys online and the
Wine Dominion Kemenys catalogue,
and has worked hard to maintain the
independence of the family-owned
business. Like his late father, Hungarian
refugee Leslie Kemeny, Andrew is
known for his strong networking and
industry relationships, along with his
negotiating skills. His mother Emma,
who established the company with
her husband in 1960, is still actively
involved in the business. On the 50th
anniversary of Kemenys, Andrew
told Drinks Trade: “I am most proud,
quite simply, of Kemenys still being
here in Bondi Road after 50 years,
flying the flag for independent
retailing. I am also incredibly proud
of the relationships we have built
with suppliers and winemakers. Of
course, the past few years have been
incredibly tough for winemakers and
independent retailers. We have created
ways that we can work together to
weather the storm – and create great
value for our customers.” One voter
made the following observation:
“Andrew continues to provide a point
of difference, offering his customers
a strong competitor in a country
where markets are often reduced to
oligopolies.” While another voter said:
“Andrew’s ongoing commitment to the
Australian liquor industry is outstanding.
Keep it up Andrew. Thank you.”
Peter Lehmann, AM
Peter was the first Australian wine
industry figure to be recognised as a
Member of the Order of Australia in
the inaugural list of Australian honours.
As an active champion of the Barossa
Valley for decades and fifth-generation
Barossan, Peter is referred to as the
‘Baron of the Barossa’. Peter began his
winemaking career in 1947, aged 17
with Yalumba, where he stayed for 13
years. He then worked as winemaker at
Peter Lehmann, AM
drinks trade 39
Top 21
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Liquor Identities
Back row, L-R: John Pollaers, Stuart Gilbert, Bonnie Sacks , Doug May, Phil Ryan and Les Page.
Front row, L-R: Mal Higgs and Peter Hurley
in 1998 for $55m, the chain’s turnover
was $100m. At the time of his
departure from the group in September
2008, there was some 86 stores
nationwide and annual turnover was
close to $2b. In September 2008 in a
move that shocked many, he moved
over to the Coles Liquor Group as
general manager of the liquor division
and he is credited with turning Coles
Liquor’s retail operations around in
recent years. Tony is known as a strong
negotiator and is respected as an
innovator in liquor retailing. One voter
wrote: “Tony Leon - probably the most
influential retailer in the last 20 years.”
Doug May
Saltram for 20 years. During the grape
surplus on the late 70s, Saltram owners
directed Peter to go back on his word
with his growers, but Peter refused
to do so and formed enough funds to
start a new company, Masterson, to
buy their grapes. The name Masterson
was taken from the Damon Runyan
character, Sky Masterson, a gambler
and the company’s logo became
the Queen of Clubs, symbolic of the
‘gamble’ Peter took. The name over
time changed to Peter Lehmann Wines
and was floated publicly in 1993, and
in 2003, to avoid a takeover by Allied
Domecq, he partnered with the Hess
Group and today retains just over
ten per cent of the company. Peter
Lehmann said: “I count my lucky
stars that I have been privileged to
be part of the Australian wine world.
It has been a great journey. And I
am humbled and honoured to be
listed in the ‘Top 21 Influential.”
Tony Leon
Tony Leon, who arrived in Melbourne
from war-torn Lebanon in 1979, is
largely responsible for the national
success-story of Dan Murphy’s, cofounding the chain, starting out with
Dan Murphy in the mid 1980s and
working with the group for 23 years.
When Woolworths purchased the five
Dan Murphy’s stores (all in Melbourne)
40 drinks trade
Brian McGuigan, AM
Doug May has been in trade relations
at Lion Nathan Australia for over 10
years. He contributes to industry
through the conversations he has
passionately engaged in with members
of the hospitality industry and is a great
source of information for what is going
on in the industry and who may need
a quiet, helping hand. He has strong
integrity and an enviable network of
contacts, along with a tireless ability
to connect people with others. On top
of all this, Doug is recognised as being
one of the most genuine operators in
the business. Voter’s comments for
Doug included: “Doug has incredible
relationships in the industry, developed
through his passion for the industry,
his customers and a commitment to
delivering the best possible results
for all those involved. He works
diligently to exceed expectations for
customers within the liquor and hotel
industries, evidenced by consistent,
positive feedback from his customers
throughout the industry.” And also:
“Doug May - I have known this man
for a long time. He amazes me with
the number of functions and meetings
he attends promoting his brands
and supporting good causes.”
Brian McGuigan, AM
Legendary Hunter Valley winemaker
with a larger-than-life personality, Brian
was awarded the Medal of the Order
of Australia (AM) and is a winner of the
Hunter Valley Living Legend Award.
He had a vision to create a mainstream
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brand of quality wines which were
driven by consumer trends, which,
at the time, challenged the traditional
wine industry formula. He has been
a champion of McGuigan Wines and
Australian wines in general in export
markets for decades. Brian said to
the Liquor Merchants Association of
his ‘21’ accolade: “It was indeed an
honour for Lisa and myself to gain
such a prestigious award amongst
the industry’s outstanding leaders.
Thank you very much for you and
your organisation for foresight and
also for creating such a sizzle within
the liquor industry activities.”
Lisa McGuigan
Daughter of Brian and Fay McGuigan,
Lisa is currently general manager sales
and marketing at Poole’s Rock Wines.
As a fourth-generation family member
of the McGuigan family, she set up
Tempus Two in the Hunter Valley in
1998 under the McGuigan banner and
grew it to become a 150,000 case
business. Lisa is renowned for her
ability to build brands and evolve new
wine markets. She is formerly the
global marketing director at McGuigan
Simeon Wines and also gained
experience in wine retailing with the
establishment of Sydney CBD fine
wine stores named ‘Lisa’s Wine Vault’.
One voter said: “Lisa is a woman in
the industry we can be proud of. A
true, colourful, eloquent speaker and a
delightful, engaging personality. I listen
to anything and everything she has to
offer.” And this from another voter:
“Lisa McGuigan’s ongoing commitment
to the Australian wine industry should
be acknowledged. She is outstanding
in her field.” When asked by Drinks
Trade to what she attributes her
success, Lisa offered: “Good guidance,
great advice and industry leaders who
have given me advice along the way.
That’s always hard to get when you’re
looking for it, but if you listen to it when
you’re being given it, that helps.”
Robert Oatley
Robert (Bob) Oatley established
Rosemount Estate in the Hunter
Valley in the 1970s, whose wines
enjoyed incredible success in the
Robert Oatley
UK, Europe and US markets. He
started out by marketing Papua New
Guinea’s cocoa and coffee beans
throughout the world in the 1950s
and 1960s. His company developed
innovative sales and marketing and
customer interfacing which saw the
Rosemount brand gain unprecedented
distribution worldwide. Over three
decades, Rosemount wines featured
on the world’s top wine lists, won
a number of winemaking accolades
and consistently topped sales in
Australia, the UK and USA. After
selling Rosemount to Southcorp,
Robert Oatley set up Robert Oatley
Vineyards in 2006 in Mudgee, evolving
from seven of the family’s existing
vineyard sites. The Wild Oats brand
has grown to be extremely successful,
mirroring the incredible success of the
Oatley’s super-maxi yacht, Wild Oats
XI. Bob Oatley is recognised amongst
his liquor industry peers as a visionary
with strong entrepreneurial skills and
the ability to surround himself with
solid and loyal team members, as
displayed in a comment made by one
voter: “I have worked in the liquor
trades for 30 years for some great
people. I now work for Mr Oatley in
the wine division and have seen first
hand of how he is such a magnificent
person with great vision. I am proud
to be connected with this great
company, headed by this great man.”
drinks trade 43
Top 21
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Liquor Identities
Bruce Tyrrell, AM
Brad Rogers
Brad is the former chief brewer of
Matilda Bay Brewery, developing some
of Australia’s most well-known craft
beers including Beez Neez and Alpha
Pale Ale, and growing the category.
Brad was with Foster’s for over 15
years and has worked in numerous
locations, including running a brewery
and distillery in Fiji. With a lack of
formal beer studies in Australia in the
early 1980s, Brad studied winemaking
at Roseworthy Agricultural College
in Adelaide. He is well known for
‘breaking the mould’ with his approach
to brewing. Brad is currently founder
and brewer at Stone & Wood, a
boutique brewery he set up in Byron
Bay, New South Wales in 2008. Brad’s
voters gave the following testimonials:
“If Brad is accomplishing so
much at this stage of his life, I
can only imagine things he would
come up with years from now.
He is truly a son of Australia.”
“Anyone who has ever tasted
one of Brad’s beers knows that
he deserves this vote!”
“Brad Rogers has set the
standard in brewing a unique,
fresh, great tasting ale that is not
limited by pure style boundaries.”
“Go Brad, you bloody
legend! Helping Australia to
finally drink real beer.”
44 drinks trade
Brad Rogers
Son of legendary Murray Tyrrell, fourthgeneration Tyrrell family member,
Bruce, joined the business in 1974
and has left his own mark on the
successful family-owned business.
He developed the first Vat 1 Semillon;
created Australia’s first wine direct mail
order system; was made CEO from
1994; and in 2006 was recognised with
a Member of the Order of Australia
Medal for his contribution to the
Australian wine industry, improving
grape quality, research, tourism and
export opportunities. With a downto-earth nature, Bruce is not only
well-respected but well-liked by his
industry peers, as evidenced by one
voter who wrote: “Bruce Tyrrell is such
a great bloke that cares for everyone!”
Asked by Drinks Trade for his
thoughts on the nomination, Bruce
said: “It came as a bit of a bolt out of
the blue for me. To be in some pretty
esteemed company, with people
like Sir James Hardy, it’s an honour
to be put in with people like that.”
Bruce also spoke of the factors
that have contributed to his success,
and the success of not only
Tyrrell’s Wines but the increased
recognition of the Hunter region.
“For me it’s been an obsession
with Hunter semillon that has taken
a big chunk of my life for the past 30
years. And to see that now get to a
position that it deserves, not only here
but internationally having a reputation
now probably as good as it was as
ever overseas. And in fixing the Hunter
Valley Wine Show, turning it into a
proper wine show and using that to
drive the quality of the region.”
Top 21
All nominees in the 21 Most
Influential Liquor Identities
of the Past 21 Years
Sven Almenning
John Angove
Neville Bayfield
Gordon Broderick
Ross Brown
Ed Carr
Howard Cearns
Dr Tim Cooper
Nuno D’Aquino
Darren de Bortoli
Lynne Delaney
Don Ditter, OAM
Warrick Duthy
John Duval
(The late) Michael Erceg
Stuart Gilbert
Robert Goldman
Mike Gordon
Clive Hartley
Justin Hemmes
Paul Henry
Mal Higgs
Rob Hirst
Peter Hurley
Dr Tony Jordan
Theo Karedis
Bruce Kemp
Michael Kollaras
Phil Laffer
Arthur Laundy
John Livingstone
Tom Maguire
Bruce Mathieson
Neil McGuigan
Kevin McLintock
John Murphy
Hazel Murphy, AM
Trevor O’Hoy
Bernadette O’Shea
Les Page
Bruce Peachey
John Pollaers
John Raymond
Louisa Rose
Phil Ryan
Bonnie Sacks
Phil Sexton
Heidi Solterbeck
Mitchell Taylor
Andrew Thomson
Michael Walton
A selection of voter’s online comments on the nominees
Sven Almenning
Sven’s contribution to the cocktail and spirit culture of Australia has been incredible. Through his efforts and his business
he has helped raise the standard of drinks served in bars all over Australia.
John Angove
I have known Mr Angove for all my life, my father works for him and now, so do I. He encorages all his team mates at
work and cares so much for his company. Very supportive in everything we do in and out of the office. John Angove is
already a winner in our eyes here at Angove Family Winemakers.
Ed Carr
Ed Carr’s sparkling wine is nothing short of exceptional. Everybody should try Arras at least once.
Stuart Gilbert
Holey Dollar Rum - outstanding product! Congratulations Stuart.
Clive Hartley
Clive’s drive for educating industry workers is inspiring. His work will significantly add depth at all levels from interested
amateurs to career professionals. This is what Australia’s wine industry needs as we drive for recognition of our unique
terrior and quality. The more people who recognise this excellence, the more the word will spread.
Clive Hartley is the leading force in wine knowledge for the industry and his legacy is a huge quantity of educated wine
professionals spread across Australia and the globe!
Theo Karedis
No other single individual has had more effect on the Australian liquor industry over the past 50 years. Firstly as the
industry’s leading independent retailer and then through the 80s and 90s in large format retailing. He possessed a
natural retailer philosophy which drove his retail, and therefore, his real estate holdings which resulted in the offer too
good to refuse by Coles in the early 2000s. Always a hard but fair individual that gave so many people their start and
also great experience in the liquor industry.
Theo Karedis’ success in the liquor industry is an outstanding example of what commitment and self belief can achieve
in this wonderful country. However his success is surpassed by his humility and generosity. A great Australian.
Michael Kollaras
Michael is one of the most passionate people I have seen. His passion and enthusiasm for the business (Kollaras Group
now been in business for 50 years) is infectious and clearly linked to the success of the business and the recognition he
rightly deserves within the industry.
Phil Laffer
A tireless worker for the industry at large and without whom our global success as an industry might not have
happened. Chief winemaker Lindemens (Bin 65 successfully introduced Australian wine to the USA), chief winemaker
Jacob’s Creek, a global success story that has forged a path for Australian wine around the world.
John Livingstone
John Livingstone led a very dynamic Swift & Moore with probably the most difficult portfolio to major success after
success and all the time remains an absolute ‘gentleman of the industry’ respected by all.
Les Page
I have known Les for a long time and it is the dedication and persistence that he puts towards his work that will make
him the best recipient of this prestigious award.
Les saw a real opportunity and took it when he decided to import Angostura Bitters - he is a great business man.
Neil McGuigan
Neil is a great ambassador for the wine industry with loads of personality to compliment his years of experience.
Phil Ryan
Phillip Ryan has been the most outstanding winemaker in the Hunter in the last 40 years. He has constantly pursued
excellence in winemaking through his unquenchable thirst to improve the style and quality of wines in the Hunter region.
Michael Walton
As an advisor to the liquor industry, Michael Walton has delivered insights without bias and challenged existing
thinking among many key decision makers.
46 drinks trade
21
Most Influential
Liquor Identities
Back row, L-R: Michael Every (representing Peter Lehmann), John Livingstone.
Front row, L-R: Gordon Broderick and Don Ditter, OAM.
Hazel Murphy, AM; Michael Kollaras and Dr Tim Cooper
Back row, L-R: John Raymond, Fay McGuigan, Jodie Evans, Lisa
McGuigan and Chuck Hahn. Front row, L-R: Tony Leon shakes Andrew
Kemeny’s hand - Michael Walton and Neville Bayfield look on.
Back row, L-R: Bruce Peachey, Clive Hartley, Tom Maguire
and John Casella.
Front row, L-R: Sven Almenning and John Murphy.
Back row, L-R: Theo’s son Greg Karedis and grandson, Joshua Chambers.
Front row, L-R: Warrick Duthy and Theo Karedis.
Back row, L-R: John Pollaers, Stuart Gilbert, Bonnie Sacks, Doug
May, Phil Ryan and Les Page.
Front row, L-R: Mal Higgs and Peter Hurley
Some of the ‘Top 21’ share a laugh
Back row, L-R: John Casella, Huon Hooke, Tony Leon, Bruce Tyrrell, AM, Doug May, Andrew Kemeny, Fay McGuigan
(representing Brian McGuigan, AM), Jodie Evans (representing her father, the late Len Evans, AO OBE).
Front row, L-R: Lisa McGuigan, Sir James Hardy, OBE and Stephen Henschke
Tell us what you think. Did we get it right? Were the industry nominations and votes as you would have expected or was there other
individuals whom you would have liked to see either in the final 21 or nominated? Let us know via email at [email protected] or
leave your comments on the Drinks Trade Twitter page @DrinksTrade.
drinks trade 47