A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has been named as a finalist in The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year 2009 awards. Mr Ryan Aggiss, from Flying Fish Cove winery in the Margaret River region in West Australia, is one of the 10 finalists. The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year awards aims to encourage and recognise excellence in young winemakers in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Aggiss is a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) student studying by distance education through the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. At Flying Fish Cove since 2007, the CSU student was made Winemaker the following year. “It is a great honour to be named as a finalist and to represent my state in the awards,” said Mr Aggiss. “I am looking forward to getting my degree and continuing to develop my career in the industry and believe my studies have helped greatly in my development as a winemaker.” Dr Andrew Clarke, wine science course coordinator in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, said, “Ryan is well deserving of this nomination. In particular, he is well known by Charles Sturt University academic staff for his excellent palate and perceptive insights into wine production processes.”