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Qantas/The Wine Magazine Winemaker of
the Year - Vanya Cullen
The
Woman at the forefront of Australian Wine
 Vanya
Cullen has been recognised as a leading force in Australia's wine industry by
being named the Qantas/The Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year. Vanya was also
nominated in 1998, the award's inaugural year - a history that is testament to
her consistent talents.
The small family winery processes less than 200
tonnes of fruit every year, yet has a reputation that makes it one of the most
sought-after labels amongst wine aficionados throughout the world. Vanya was
selected from a shortlist of 10 finalists, many representing much larger
wineries.
 The Qantas/The
Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year award is unique for putting winemakers -
from the largest of commercial vineyards to small boutique wineries - into a
competition where they are judged on an equal footing, irrespective of the size
of the wineries' output. "Vanya's remarkable achievement has been in taking a
good boutique, and with sheer talent and tenacity transforming it into one of
the best small wineries in the country," one of the judges commented. Vanya is
widely regarded as having one of the finest palates in the country, and as such
is a respected wine judge, travelling throughout the year to major wine shows
in Australia and overseas.
Her natural flair for winemaking is evident
in the individuality of her wines: she does not subscribe to typical styles or
trends, and, rather, pushes the boundaries and creates wines that make the most
of the fruit grown from her mature vineyard on one of the Margaret River's best
sites. |
