Awards presentation for Young Guns of Wine and Baptism of Fire 2014

Gastrology attended the event courtesy of Young Guns of Wine and Baptism of Fire.

A new generation of wine makers and wine lovers came together on December 6, for an awards night that championed innovation and showcased the best of new wines.

Gastrology was privileged to attend the trophy presentation at Cellar Bar, beneath Newmarket Hotel in St Kilda. The awards ceremony captured the mode of 2014 in wine, setting the tone going into the New Year by celebrating winners in two separate viniculture challenges: the Baptism of Fire and the Young Guns of Wine. Other awards included the “Best New Act” and the “Winemaker’s Choice”.

For the Baptism of Fire contestants, the awards night signified the end of a journey from wine lovers to “wine makers”. A fight to the ferment and beyond, the Baptism of Fire challenge pitted six teams of first-time winemakers against each other, and against the harsh realities of making and releasing a wine. Their journeys from wine lovers to “wine makers” has been documented by Renegade Films with an upcoming release of the voyeuristic series anticipated.

And the winners are…

Wine Baptism of Fire Award

2014 winner: Team Forbes with their "Lobby Lunch Wine"

Young Gun of Wine Awards

2014 YGOW: Fraser McKinley (Sami Odi)

2014 YGOW Winemaker's Choice: Brendan Keys (BK Wines)

Best New Act: Adrian Santolin (Santolin) 

YGOW People's Choice Award Ben Chipman (Tom Foolery)

The Young Gun of Wine Awards, now in its eighth year, brings together the best young winemakers in Australia, and is recognised as the place for restaurants and retailers to spot the best new wines whilst also being a barometer for trends in wine styles.

A mammoth Young Guns of Wine expo, all top 12 winemakers poured the two wines they had chosen to showcase in this competition. Additionally, the 2007 & 2008 Young Gun of Wine winners, Matt Gant of First Drop and Pete Schell of Spinifex, were along to show some of their latest wines.

The Young Gun of Wine is chosen by and a panel of acclaimed industry leaders including, Nick Stock, Rory Kent, Philip Rich and Josh Elias. Creator of both competitions, Rory Kent, suggests that creating a fun culture is the best way for people to gain further appreciation for wine and we couldn't agree more!