Basil Sellers, Patron of the Len Evans Tutorial, James Halliday, member of the Tutorial board, and Andre Bondar, Dux of the Tutorial class of 2023. Image courtesy Len Evans Tutorial
Twelve Australian wine professionals have been announced as the next participants in the 22nd Len Evans Tutorial, which will be held in the Hunter Valley from 4 – 8 November 2024. The successful scholars were selected from over 165 candidates.
“The selection panel was once again knocked out by the calibre of applicants, with a stellar short list that made the final twelve the topic of much discussion as we aim to create a balanced group from across the industry and the country,” said Sally Evans, chair of the Len Evans Tutorial board. “The board encourages all those who were unsuccessful to continue to refine their skills and reapply in 2025.”
The 2024 students are:
| Nicole Brasier | Winemaker | Tintara Winery, Accolade Wines, SA |
| Lisa Cardelli | Wine writer, co-ordinator | Halliday Wine Companion, Vic |
| Greg Clack | Winemaker, owner | Chain of Ponds/XO Wine Co, SA |
| Tim Dexter | Senior winemaker | Oakridge Wines, Vic |
| Lauren Hansen | Winemaker | Penley Estate, SA |
| Andrew Higgins | Chief winemaker | Tamburlaine Organic Wines, NSW |
| Marcell Kustos | Principal | MKW Consulting, SA |
| Jonathon Mattick | Winemaker, viticulturist, owner | Canobolas Wines, NSW |
| Aaron Mercer | Winemaker | Mercer Wines, NSW |
| Foni Pollitt | Owner, buyer, wine educator | Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room, WA |
| Skye Salter | Winemaker, co-owner | Paralian Wines, SA |
| Rohan Smith | Chief winemaker | Medhurst Wines, Vic |
All tuition, accommodation, travel, wine and food is covered by Tutorial sponsors and donors.
Over the decades, the Len Evans Tutorial has been a training ground from which many of its scholars go on to become wine show chairs and senior wine judges, industry leaders and improved wine professionals.
Foundation sponsors for 2024 include Brokenwood, Leeuwin Estate, Mount Pleasant, Shaw + Smith, Tahbilk, Tyrrell’s Vineyards and Yalumba Wine Company.
The principal sponsors for 2024 are Cullen Wines, De Iulius, Deep Woods Estate, Evans Family, Handpicked Wines, Hickinbotham Wines, Joval, Merivale, Pernod-Ricard, Riedel, Singapore Airlines, Skillogallee, Spicers Guesthouse, Tapanappa, Torbreck, Trevor Drayton Foundation, Wirra Wirra and Yarra Yering, plus Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Sydney Royal Wine Show, Royal Queensland Wine Awards and National Wine Show.
Philanthropist Basil Sellers continues as Patron of 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.
The board members for 2024 are Sally Evans (chair), Tom Carson, Samantha Connew, Sarah Crowe, James Halliday AM, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, and Iain Riggs AM.
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