Aphelion Wine Co winemaker Rob Mack named 2018 Young Gun of Wine

“I could not be happier right now,” said Mack of winning the prize. “This is a win for us but it’s also a reflection on the melting pot of creativity in McLaren Vale.”

While Mack’s award was the only prize of the night that went to an SA-based winemaker or business, Adelaide-raised winemaker Melanie Chester picked up the People’s Choice award for her work with Sutton Grange Winery in Bendigo.

The rest of the awards landed in the hands of people and businesses based in Tasmania, Melbourne, Canberra and Byron Bay. In Tasmania, Gilli and Paul Lipscombe of Sailor Seeks Horse in Huon Valley won the Winemaker’s Choice award, while Jonathan Hughes of Mewstone was named Best New Act. The Danger Zone award for most adventurous wine went to Lark Hill’s 2017 Gruner Veltliner of Canberra. Melbourne’s City Wine Shop won the industry-voted Wineslinger award, while Byron Bay’s Harvest Newrybar picked up the People’s Choice Wineslinger gong.

“Winemakers are breaking ground with new varieties and exploring new techniques, all in the search of more delicious wines made from our climate and for our palate,” said Young Gun of Wine founder Rory Kent of this year’s finalists and winners.

younggunofwine.com