Henschke has just joined an illustrious line-up of Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award winners overnight, being named the 2021 New World Winery of the Year.
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards, honouring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the beverage industry across the world.
The winners across 16 categories will be announced in the Wine Enthusiast Best of Year issue and will be celebrated at the annual event in February 2022.
The nomination process comprised all divisions (Sales, Events, Marketing, Editorial) of Wine Enthusiast Media submitting their nominees anonymously, with appropriate explanation. Final winners were chosen by the Executive Publishing team with selections based on many factors, including impact on consumers and trade, commercial successes, brand vision, and trendsetting.
Contributing Editor Christina Pickard said:
“The Henschke family has been making wine for more than 150 years in South Australia. Fifth-generation Stephen Henschke is at the winemaking helm. His wife, Prue, is a renowned viticulturist, with the sixth generation in children Johann, Justine and Andreas also involved in running the business. Henschke is home to one of the most famous single vineyards in the world, Hill of Grace, in the Eden Valley. The latest release of Hill of Grace, the 2016 vintage, has been praised as one of the best yet. Last year, the Henschke Lenswood Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills was destroyed by wildfires, yet life goes on—the vines are regenerating with a hopeful 2022 vintage. Henschke is among the most important and revered winemaking names in Australia, representing the country’s rich history, winemaking tradition, strong environmental values and innovation.”
“We are absolutely honoured to be named ‘New World Winery of the Year’ in the 2021 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards,” said owner and chief winemaker Stephen Henschke.
“To be one of only two Australian wine brands nominated in 2021 by such a highly respected international publication was wonderful news and we’re extremely proud to be representing family-owned wineries of Australia, with strong environmental values and a passion for hand-crafted, high-quality wines from precious, historic vineyards.”
“Our philosophy has always been to be ‘better’ rather than ‘bigger’. My father Cyril, fourth-generation Henschke winemaker, pioneered single-varietal and single-vineyard wines, with his greatest legacy being the creation of Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace in the 1950s; shiraz wines from the Eden Valley that have become an integral part of Australia’s fine wine history.”
The 2021 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award Winners are:
Person of the Year – Marc D. Taub, President & CEO, Palm Bay International and Taub Family Selections
Lifetime Achievement – Nicolás Catena Zapata, Owner, Catena Zapata
American Wine Legend – David Stare, Founder, Dry Creek Vineyards
Social Visionary of the Year – House Wine
Wine Executive of the Year – Eugenia Keegan, VP, Oregon Winery Operations & Business Development, Jackson Family Wines
Winemaker of the Year – Fred Merwarth, Co-owner, Vineyard Manager and Head Winemaker, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
Importer of the Year – Santa Margherita USA
Innovator of the Year – Coravin
American Winery of the Year – Josh Cellars
European Winery of the Year – Villa Sparina
New World Winery of the Year – Henschke
Wine Region of the Year – Santa Barbara County, CA
Retailer/Marketplace of the Year – Vivino
Sommelier / Wine Director of the Year – Yannick Benjamin, Cofounder and Director of Development, Wheeling Forward; Cofounder, Contento
Beverage Brand of the Year – High Noon
Spirit Brand /Distiller of the Year – Disaronno
The 2017 vintage of Henschke Hill of Grace and Henschke Mount Edelstone will be released in May 2022.