Laffer wines Maurice O’Shea award

Philip Laffer, Group Chief Winemaker for Orlando Wines, has won the 2010 McWilliam's Maurice O'Shea Award.

The award recognises a career that has spanned nearly 50 years and a life dedicated to developing, improving and perfecting the art of winemaking.

The McWilliam’s Maurice O’Shea Award honours the memory of legendary McWilliam’s Wines winemaker, the late Maurice O’Shea, and is presented to an individual, institute or corporation who has made a historically significant contribution to the Australian Wine Industry.

McWilliam’s Wines Chief Executive Officer George Wahby said Mr Laffer was recognised for contributions to winemaking that went beyond that of a winemaker.

“What’s remarkable about Philip is that his dedication to winemaking transcends what is expected from a winemaker, for him the wine industry is a lifestyle and he is a tremendous ambassador for that,” Mr Wahby said.

”His dedication to his craft and vision for Australian wine has undoubtedly spearheaded the success of Australian wine domestically and abroad.”

While studying Agriculture and Oenology, Mr Laffer worked his inaugural vintage in 1959 and by 1963 had commenced his first winemaking job with Lindemans. Mr Laffer moved through the ranks to the position of Executive Director – Operations and Chief Winemaker at Lindemans before joining Orlando Wines in 1990. Starting as Production Director for Orlando Wines, Mr Laffer has also held the position of Director of Viticulture and Winemaking before progressing to his current role as Chief Winemaker.

Mr Laffer’s interest in research and development began in the 1970s when he joined the Council of the Australian Wine Research Institute. He has remained deeply involved in research management and design as Chairman of the Council (1983 – 1991), Board Member of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Council (1986 – 2003), Convener and Board Member of the Cooperative Research Centre of Viticulture (1998 – 2005), along with numerous advisory positions, most recently the WFA Wine Innovation Policy Committee. In 2002, Mr Laffer was named Australia’s Winemaker of the Year.

One of Mr Laffer’s greatest achievement has been in producing exceptional quality, highly appealing and very distinguished large wine brands.

I'm especially proud of Jacob's Creek and where we have taken it over the past 20 years,” he said. “And, while it's now many years ago, I remain equally proud of what we achieved at Lindemans with, for that time, large volume quality products.

I have worked for and with many exceptional winemakers, mostly better than myself and from them I've been able to accumulate and absorb a wealth of winemaking knowledge and hopefully applied some of it. It's really with these people that I share any recognition and rewards I have been lucky enough to receive along the way.

I remain as enthusiastic, optimistic, encouraged, interested and fascinated as I was 50 years ago; it's a wonderful industry, a wonderful career and a wonderful way to live.