Published in the Mudgee Guardian - read the article on the Mudgee Guardian website...

Australia’s oldest independent wine club, The Wine Society, has announced one of Mudgee’s five-star winemakers as a nominee for their annual Young Winemaker of the Year Award.

Mudgee’s youngest winemaker, Jacob Stein, of Robert Stein Winery and Vineyard is a first time nominee in 2010 and has credited father Andrew Stein to his success.

“Young winemakers are obviously the future of our very successful wine industry in Australia and we should be guided down the path so that the future stays strong for Australian wine,” he said.

“My father believes in youth in this industry and is very proud of what I have achieved in my short career.”

The Wine Society launched the awards a decade ago and now attracts impressive entries from Australia and New Zealand’s best wine companies, both large and small.

The awards are open to all winemakers under 30, who are primarily responsible for the creation of the wine.

Nominations close today and the top 10 finalists will be notified by mid-September. The winner will then be announced at the awards dinner at the Westin Hotel in Sydney on November 12.

Mudgee’s young winemaker chose to nominate his 2010 Half Dry Riesling, 2010 Reserve Riesling and 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for the awards.

“The 2010 Reserve Riesling is a dry style, with lime, citrus and mineral notes. It was hand selected from our 1976 Riesling Block and was made to be released in 2011,” he said.

“It’s very tight and refined, needing 30 minutes after opening to see its potential.

“This is also a single vineyard Riesling and I picked this wine because it is my favourite wine of 2010.”