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25.01.11

Uni student wins $10,000 trip to Italy as dux of the 2011 Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship


Last Monday (in Melbourne) young gun Brendan Carter from South Australia was awarded the dux of Australia’s only Italian wine-focused education programme – the “Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship” – winning a $10,000 all-expenses paid trip to Italy to explore its most outstanding wine regions and key producers, a prize that is personally contributed by the founder and proprietor of Galli Estate Winery, and the patron of the scholarship, Pamela Galli. (Photo - from left: Dan Sims, Jane Faulkner, Pamela Galli, Brendan Carter, Michael Trembath)

As the lucky dux, Brendan scooped the award from a total of 15 selected scholars* during a two-day masterclass held at Enoteca Sileno, Carlton (Vic). Brendan was the youngest member of the group, and is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide. All of the scholars completed a comprehensive, rigorous blind tasting of over 100 benchmark Italian wine varietals from Australia and Italy, culminating in a written and verbal exam to assess the standout scholar. Judges Jane Faulkner (wine writer, columnist and show judge), Michael Trembath (Italian premium wine importer) and Dan Sims (wine consultant) considered Brendan to have excelled in all aspects of the programme.

Brendan was naturally elated with the accolade. ”The Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship is unlike any other wine experience I have had, and certainly the most generous, with not only the trip to Italy but also the calibre of the educators and the quality of the wines – you rarely get the opportunity to explore the staggering line-up of wine producers such as we experienced. In just two days my appreciation and understanding of Italian varietals has increased ten fold! I feel honoured to have won such a prestigious award,” said Brendan.

Application to the programme is open to wine and hospitality professionals or keen enthusiasts, and previous scholars have included wine students, sommeliers, winemakers, retailers, food and wine consultants, distributors and marketers. The key selection process requires applicants to submit an essay of 1500 words on a given wine topic. Bengt Baumgartner from The European (Melbourne) was bestowed the ‘Writers Award’ for his thorough exploration of nebbiolo and its future as a successful Italian varietal on Australian soil. Prize sponsor Hardie Grant gifted Bengt a selection of wine texts for his effort and his work will shortly be published in Gourmet Traveller Wine.

On day two of the masterclass, and impressed with the high calibre of scholars, John Portelli of host venue Enoteca Sileno offered an additional commendation prize to the programme, which was awarded to Leanne Altmann from Cutler & Co (Fitzroy, Vic). Leanne can select $1,000 worth of wine from Enoteca Sileno’s impressive imported Italian wine portfolio. All scholars also received a gift of etched Schott Zweisel glassware to commemorate their achievement.

The scholars in the 2011 programme were deftly guided by a line-up of the who’s-who of Italian wine aficionados in Australia and Italy. Joining the judging panel to facilitate the programme were Giuseppe Vaira (winemaker, G.D. Vajra), Stephen Pannell (winemaker, S.C. Pannell), Luke Lambert (winemaker, Luke Lambert Wines), Ben Ranken (winemaker, Galli Estate), Max Allen (wine writer, author and show judge), Kim Chalmers (Manager, Chalmers Wines), Mark Walpole (viticulturalist) and the 2010 dux of the Lorenzo Galli Scholarship, Jeannette Clarke.

Now in its third year, the Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship celebrates the diversity and richness of Italy’s wine and history while showcasing the latest trends in Australia with its interpretations of Italian varietals. The program’s patron, Pamela Galli, conceived the idea of a scholarship to honour her late husband, Lorenzo Galli. Tuscan-born, Lorenzo arrived in Australia in 1952 and diligently built up a successful property business. He later added vigneron to his list achievements when he and Pamela created Galli Estate Winery in Victoria’s Sunbury region in 1997 and also developing their 260 acre Heathcote ‘Camelback’ vineyard. Fruit from the Heathcote site now comprises the majority of Galli Estate’s wine portfolio and today Galli Estate continues to craft premium, sought-after wines, with an Italian leaning.

Lorenzo had a love for Italian grape varieties and the winemaking craft from growing grapes to their production; it was his dream to share that passion and encourage younger people to learn more about that process. This scholarship is Pamela’s tribute to Lorenzo.

“Lorenzo would be very proud of the scholars who have participated with such great enthusiasm in this year’s program. I am delighted to see so many young faces with a strong penchant for Italian wine. They too, should be proud of their achievements,” noted Pamela.

Registration to the 2012 programme will open in June 2011. For more information or to lodge an interest in the 2012 programme visit www.winescholarship.com.au.
* The Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship ‘Class of 2011’ comprised: Leanne Altmann (Sommelier - Cutler & Co VIC) – winner, Enoteca Sileno award Sarah Andrew (Owner - Selador Wines VIC) Bengt Baumgartner (Sommelier - The European VIC) – winner, Writers Award Andrew Bretherton (Cellar Hand - De Bortoli Wines VIC) Jackson Brooke (Assistant Winemaker - Dominique Portet VIC) Brendan Carter (Student - Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, University of Adelaide SA) – Dux Chris Coffey (Sales - Edinburgh Cellars SA) Michael Collins (Assistant Vineyard Manager, Train Trak Vineyard VIC) Emily McCutcheon (Director - McCutcheon Wine Consulting NSW) Krystina Menegazzo (Trainee Retail Manager - Old & Rare Wines - Enoteca Sileno VIC) Alex Prichard (Director - Wine Academy SA) Mark Protheroe (Group Head Sommelier - Grossi restaurants VIC) Callum Reeves (Imported Wines / Wine Education - Wholesale Wine Services VIC) Olga Retzepoglou (Waitress - Il Solito Posto VIC) Corrina Wright (Winemaker & Director - Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards SA)

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