PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 NOVEMBER 2022
ANDREA PRITZKER MW AWARDED DUX OF LEN EVENS TUTORIAL 2022
Today, Andrea Pritzker MW, was announced as the recipient of the Basil Sellers Prize for Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial 2022 (LET) at a presentation lunch at Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley.
Andrea, who become a Master of Wine in 2015 and now works as a wine educator in Sydney, will fly Business Class to Europe with Len Evans Tutorial sponsor, Singapore Airlines, to visit some of the most famous wine producing regions and producers in the world.
Many pf the rarest, oldest, and greatest wines were opened in an extraordinary few days from 31 October - 4 November when 12 Australian wine professionals including sommeliers, wine writers, educators, trade and wine makers were put through some of the most rewarding tastings of thier lives.
Highlights of this year's tutorial included a masterclass of Cullen Wines Cabernets with Vanya Cullen including a Diana Madeline vertical from 2018 to 2011, the Evolution of Australian Chardonnay with Michael Hill Smith MW and a dinner bracket of 1965 Australian red wines including Lindemans Bin 3110, Hardy's Private Bin Burgundy 633, and Penfolds St Henri Claret.
Friday's sessions always concludes with a masterclass of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and this year seven wines were tasted blind.
Chair, Iain Riggs AM, said: "Andrea is a very worthy winner as she excelled in all aspects of this week's judging, masterclasses, and written exercise. Andrea was the top performer across the written exercise and the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti tasting."
The Len Evans Tutorial has proved to be an invaluable training ground for its scholars, many of whom have gone on to become wine show chairs, senior wine judges and industry leaders. Len Evans' vision and legacy has been about increasing the skills (tasting, wine literacy, understanding of quality) of Australian wine professionals.
Basil Sellers AM, Patron of the Len Evans Tutorial said: "The Tutorial is important as one its goals is to encourage winemakers to strive to further improve the quality of Australian wine."
Board member, James Halliday AM, said: "The Tutorial presents wines otherwise largely unavailable to the 12 scholars, either because of their price or scarcity. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those who attend."
2022 was the 20th anniversary of the Tutorial and included a Round Table Strategic Review and Celebration Dinner attended by the board, tutors, organising committee, past dux and sponsors.
The 20th Tutorial also marked a change of guard with an expanded group of national tutors including Chair Iain Riggs AM, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Sarah Crowe, Sam Connew, Tyson Stelzer, Philip Rich, Ton Carson, Randal Pollard, Vanya Cullen, Dave Brookers, Patrick Walsh, Amanda Yallop, Jim Chatto, Mike De Iuliis, Stuart Hordern, Liz Silkman, Adam Wadewitz and Sue Bell.
240 scholars have now graduated from the Tutorial over two decades and this year included:
Frank Butera, Bass River VIC
Andrew Duff, Tempus Two NSW
Penny Grant, Shaw + Smith QLD
Ben Harris, Wynns Coonawarra Estate SA
Erin Larkin, Wine writer WA
Dylan McMahon, Seville Estate VIC
Genevieve Mann, Corymbia Wines WA
Ed Merrison, Vininspo VIC
Ben Mullen, Mulline VIC
Tim Pelquest-Hunt, Pernod Ricard Winemakers SA
Andrea Pritzker MW, Educator NSW
Nadja Wallington, ChaLous Wines NSW
Principal sponsors for 2022 include: Brokenwood, Daniel Pontifex Memorial Scholarship Trust, De Iuliis Wines, Dr Edge, Eden Road, Handpicked Wines, Jackson Family Wines, Leeuwin Estate, Merivale Group, Mount Pleasant, Oakdene, Riedel, Shaw + Smith, Singapore Airlines, Sydney Royal Show, Tahbilk, Tapanappa, TarraWarra Estate, Torbreck Vintners, Trevor Drayton Scholarship Fund, Tyrrell's, Vinomofo, Yalumba and Yarra Yering. Philanthropist Basil Sellers is Patron of the Len Evans Tutorial.
All tuition, accommodation, travel, wine and food is covered by Tutorial sponsors and donors.
Applications for the 2023 tutorial will open in June 2023.
ABOUT THE LEN EVANS TUTORIAL
The Len Evans Tutorial was founded by Len Evans AO OBE in 2001. It is a not-for-profit organisation funded entirely by donations and sponsorships from companies and individuals related to the wine industry. All tutors and pourers volunteer their time each year to run the Tutorial.
Board members: Iain Riggs AM (Chair), Sarah Crowe, Sally Evans, James Halliday AM, Basil Sellers AM, Michael Hill Smith AM MW.
@lenevenstutorial
For more information:
Iain Riggs | 0408 685 069 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sally Evans | 0410 474 490
For media information:
Sally Lewis, Liquid Ideas | 0410 311 501 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
