Fourth generation winemaker Colin Campbell, from Rutherglen’s Campbells Winery, has died aged 73.

“Our industry has lost a great friend and a true champion”, said Sandy Clark, chairman of Australian Grape and Wine (AGW).

“Col’s passionate commitment, his enquiring mind, and his ability to engage with everyone, including parliamentarians in Canberra, a task he enjoyed immensely, were invaluable qualities that made him so special.

“Col was a very talented, warm hearted, man and his contribution to the Australian wine industry has been immense.

“Our thoughts, and heartfelt sympathy are with his wife Prue, children Jane, Susie, and Julie, and all the Campbell family.”

“Col was a great mentor and a friend to me and many others”, said Tony Battaglene, chief executive of AGW. He was one of the first people I met when I joined the wine industry and has always been a passionate advocate for the Australian wine sector. A long serving committee and board member of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and now Australian Grape & Wine, his advice and pragmatism has been of great benefit.

“Colin Campbell was the recipient of many honours including an Order of Australia and a Life Member of the Australian Wine Industry but nothing in his long career was more important to him then his beloved Rutherglen Muscat,” Battaglene continued. “His leadership through the ‘Muscat of Rutherglen Network’, and the relaunch strategy for Australian fortified wines was vital in revitalizing this important sector of the Australian wine industry, and at the same time demonstrating to the world the depth of commitment and history of the Australian wine industry.

“Colin was not just the heart of a great wine business in Campbells Wines, but spent his life as an advocate for the benefit of the wine industry. Over the years, he was tireless in his efforts on behalf of the wine industry to reach a solution with the government for fair taxation.

“Colin’s dogged advocacy and work with politicians of all parties is legendary. He leaves many friends and will be sorely missed.”

Colin Campbell, wife Prue, and daughters Jane, Susie, and Julie.