Hunter Valley winemaker and NSW wine industry award winner Phil Ryan described studying at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in the late 1970s as an exciting period in the evolution of the Australian wine industry.

 

Phil Ryan, McWilliam’s Wines Chief Winemaker, was recently awarded the prestigious Graham Gregory Trophy for his outstanding contribution to the State’s $2 billion wine industry. The trophy is named after a pioneer of the NSW wine industry, former NSW Agriculture Deputy Director-General, Graham Gregory.

 

In presenting the award, the Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said Mr Ryan had dedicated his life to making great wine and promoting the NSW wine industry both in Australia and overseas.

 

“His scientific background as a graduate of CSU has made Phil a leader in modern quality fermentation control processes and in the prevention of oxidation and spoilage,” Mr Macdonald said.

 

McWilliam’s is one of the most awarded Australian wineries today and much of this is attributed to Mr Ryan’s tireless effort.

Phil Ryan said receiving the trophy was one of the highlights of his career, which had its beginnings in the new teaching and commercial winery built at CSU in the mid 1970s.

 

He graduated in viticulture and winemaking in 1978: “an innovative period and a great place to be” under the tutelage of CSU’s first winemaker and lecturer in oenology, Brian Croser, and Dr Tony Jordan.

 

Mr Ryan said he gained tremendous experience working with both men at such an innovative time, when there was a lot of growth in the local industry and many new techniques were evolving to address issues such as oxidation and bacterial spoilage.

“It was a revelation to see what Brian was teaching us put into practical application.

 

“It was exciting to be part of a passionate group who were so fired up and willing to exchange ideas,” Mr Ryan said.

 

Today many of his CSU contemporaries are also leading winemakers and viticulturalists in the Australian and international wine industries.

 

As Chief Winemaker and Manager at Mount Pleasant, Phil Ryan has been responsible for McWilliam’s award-winning range of Mount Pleasant wines. A number of McWilliam’s senior winemakers are also graduates of the CSU course.

 

His message to young winemakers is that it’s all about passion and being meticulous about every aspect the process, from growing wine through to bottling: “Every step is vital; treat each step just as importantly.”

 

CSU’s wine science and viticulture courses have developed into some of the most significant wine education programs in the world.