James Halliday wins prestigious Saltram Wine Communicator Award

March 31, 2006

Noted Australian wine writer and critic James Halliday has been named as the winner of the Saltram Australian Wine Communicator Award 2005 for his 2006 Australian Wine Companion.

He received his award last night at a gala dinner held at Bilson's, Sydney, attended by 85 members of the Australian wine industry. Darren Jahn, President of the Wine Press Club of New South Wales, announced that Halliday's entry had beaten more than 40 strong contenders to take out this prestigious prize.

"James' Companion is the standard Australian wine reference point for most of the industry and many thousands of consumers," said Jahn.

Jahn was one of four judges, who also included Len Evans AO OBE, Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Saltram Senior Winemaker, Nigel Dolan. In her remarks, Robinson said "The consistency and detail of this annual guide is extraordinary. That it is the work of one person is almost incredible."

Halliday won ahead of inaugural Award winner Campbell Mattinson, and wine writer Jane Adams, both of whom were commended by the judges for their refreshing approach to wine writing.

"We were looking for pieces which present more innovative topics or angles plus an ability to engage and entertain the reader," said Jahn. "On the whole, we're pleased to see that the entries we received this year displayed high quality writing skills and a solid understanding of the topics being addressed."

The judges received entries from around the country, covering a broad spectrum of media, including newspaper and magazine columns and feature articles, books, wine newsletters, websites and even a poster.

As the winner of the Saltram Australian Wine Communicator Award, Halliday receives a generous $10,000 travel grant courtesy of Saltram Wine Estate and $1,000 spending money from the Wine Press Club of New South Wales.

Also announced on the night was the Gourmet Traveller WINE New Wine Writer Award, which is open to any unpublished wine writer. This year's winner, Drew Tuckwell, will have his piece 'Vine Intervention' published in the April/May edition.

For further information please contact Darren Jahn on 0411 020 574 or at president@winepressclub.com.au

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