James Halliday AM has been honoured with the inaugural d'Arry Osborn Award that was presented at the 2023 McLaren Vale Wine Show's Bushing Lunch.
The d'Arry Osborn Award recognises an individual or company that has championed and promoted grenache and its blends in McLaren Vale.
The award honours the legacy of d'Arry Osborn who was an advocate for grenache, and who stood against the vine pull scheme run by the government in the 1980s. The scheme threatened McLaren Vale's old vines, which included a lot of grenache that now produces award-winning wines.
"Presenting the inaugural d'Arry Osborn Award to James Halliday is an honour that brings immense pride. This award celebrates not just the varietal, but those who believe in its potential and invest in its future. James’ long-standing appreciation and fervent support for McLaren Vale grenache perfectly aligns with dad’s vision. The trophy this year is an antique butter churn as d’Arry made great butter that was revered by many buyers," says Chester Osborn, d’Arenberg's chief winemaker, viticulturalist, and fourth-generation family member of d’Arenberg.
James Halliday AM on being honoured with the d'Arry Osborn Award: “I’m deeply honoured to receive the inaugural d’Arry Osborn Award. I’m a long-time and unabashed lover of all things grenache. If I must give one reason, it is the exquisite perfume the wine has, which reaches a high point in McLaren Vale. It’s an ambassador for Australia because, outside of the Rhône Valley, no other region can match what Australia offers.”
Erin Leggat, CEO of McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association, says it was exceptional to witness an award that celebrates two giants of the wine industry. "The inaugural d'Arry Osborn Award honours two legends of our industry, whose contributions to strengthening and elevating the McLaren Vale wine region and the Australian wine industry cannot be underestimated."
The d'Arry Osborn Award will become an annual highlight of the McLaren Vale Wine Show, driving the continued passion and innovation of grenache.
For more information visit darenberg.com.au.
Image credit: d’Arenberg.
