Established in 2007, the Young Gun of Wine Award is our top trophy. It goes to an emerging producer that is not only making outstanding wine, but also demonstrating vision and leadership, and nailing the entire pitch, packaging and presentation of their product.
Taste is subjective. Every individual is the best judge of their own palate. Established in 2007, the Peopleâs Choice is decided by the public, choosing from the list of finalists in our annual winemaker awards.
The Winemakerâs Choice trophy is our peer award, chosen by that yearâs finalists. This trophy was introduced from 2013.
The Best New Act goes to a first-time finalist in our winemaker awards that is making a profound impression. This trophy was introduced from 2013.
The Danger Zone is the only trophy in our winemaker awards that goes to a wine product. It recognises a wine that successfully pushes the boundaries. This trophy was introduced from 2017.
The Vigneron is an award which celebrates makers that also lovingly tend to the land and the vines that they make wine from.
Tasmania
Winemaker's Choice
Danger Zone
2026 Finalist
2025 Finalist
2024 Winemaker's Choice
2024 Finalist
2024 Danger Zone
Matthias and Lauren Utzinger are the Swiss-Tasmanian partnership behind one of the Tamar Valleyâs most purposeful young estates. Matthias brings a European winemaking formation that spans Switzerland, Provence and the southern RhĂŽne; Lauren brings a childhood steeped in northern Tasmania. Together they planted their five-hectare estate in Legana from scratch in 2018, certified organic, at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare â a figure that says everything about how seriously they take the vineyard as the foundation of the wine. The range spans pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah, riesling and a fumĂ© sauvignon blanc across two tiers â the White Label and the Black Label estate range â with a growing experimental program of Swiss varieties imported by Matthias himself. Their âRoter Satzâ field blend won the Danger Zone trophy at the 2024 Young Gun of Wine Awards, with Winemakerâs Choice following in the same ceremony â only the third time in the competitionâs history a winemaker has won two trophies at the same awards.
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