2026 Viticulturist of the Year
Dr Dylan Grigg, Vinya Vella and Meristem Viticulture
"This award acknowledges the tremendous skill of the viticulturist. As vine and soil custodians, their job is to produce optimal fruit regardless of season or vintage. Dr Dylan Grigg could not be more deserving of this award. His knowledge and his generosity in sharing it make Australian viticulture stronger as a whole and the wines better for it." – Katrina Butler
"Besides making some of Australia’s most exciting grenache under his Vinya Vella label, Dylan operates Meristem Viticulture consultancy, working with clients in the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills and overseas in Spain and Italy.
With a PhD in viticultural science, Dylan’s doctoral thesis investigated how grapevine age influences various aspects of wine production, from grapevine growth to wine quality. There is no viticulturist more qualified to work with Australia’s precious old-vine resources than Dr Grigg." – Dave Brookes
