Wolf Blass





	Wolf Blass Wines International was born in 1973 when Wolf started his own business, purchasing a 2.5 acre land holding with an old army shed outside Nuriootpa, at the northern end of the Barossa Valley. John Glaetzer joined the company and from 1974-1976 Wolf Blass Wines won three consecutive Jimmy Watson Trophies, the Black Label generated substantial publicity and hype. From this time onwards growth was impressive with Wolf Blass Yellow Label and Riesling becoming Australia's top selling red and white wine. Exports first started in the mid-1970s to New Zealand, Fiji, Hong Kong and Singapore and in 1984 Wolf Blass Wines became a publicly listed company. By the end of 1990, the number of National and International awards totalled an incredible 2,575 comprising: 135 trophies 712 gold medals 812 silver medals 869 bronze medals 47 diplomas Wolf's amazing run of show awards outside the Jimmy Watson Trophy includes: Best red wine in Adelaide Show (Montgomery Trophy) in 1978-1983, 1986-1988 Best red wine in Sydney Show 1981-1983 and 1985 Most successful red wine exhibitor in National Shows 1980-1988 Under the guidance of Chief Winemaker Chris Hatcher, the steady hand of veteran John Glaetzer and the contemporary influences of Wendy Stuckey, Caroline Dunn and Kirsten Glaetzer, the award total for Wolf Blass now stands at over 3,000 awards at international and Australian wine shows and includes an unprecedented fourth Jimmy Watson Trophy for the 1998 Black Label at the 1999 Royal Melbourne Wine Show. In 2001 The International Wine and Spirit Competition recognised the achievements of Wolf Blass, with an award for the Best Australian Wine Producer. As they have for almost 30 years, Wolf Blass wines continue to delight wine lovers all over the world.

	Winery Chronology


	1966 Wolf Blass Wines established - Australia's first freelance winemaking business

	1969 Purchases a property in the Barossa. Adopts the Eaglehawk as his emblem and source of inspiration

	1973 Goes into business on his own and joined by legendary winemaker John Glaetzer

	1974, 1975, 1976 Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner

	1975 First release of Riesling, which became Australia's biggest selling Riesling

	1978-1988 Best Red Wine of Show, Adelaide: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986, 1987, 1988 Best Red Wine of Show, Sydney: 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985 Most Successful National Exhibitor, National Wine Show: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988

	1988-1995 Chris Hatcher, Senior White Winemaker: 39 trophies in major Australian wine shows for white wine

	1992 International Winemaker of the Year - International Wine and Spirit Competition

	1996-2000 Wendy Stuckey, Senior White Winemaker: multitude of awards including Best White Wine of Show - 1998 Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, National Wine Shows Best White Wine of Show - 1999 National Wine Show Penguin Wine of the Year and Best White Wine - 2000 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide

	1999-2002 Black Label wins the Jimmy Watson Trophy for a record fourth time Black Label wins trophy for the Best Dry Red Cabernet Sauvignon and Most Outstanding Barossa Dry Red Table Wine at the 2001 Barossa Wine Show

	2001 Best Australian Producer - International Wine and Spirit Competition 2000 Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling ranked number 42 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2001, one of only five Australian wines included Best Marketed Wine - Australian Liquor Industry Awards

	2002 2001 Wolf Blass Riesling voted Australia's best current release Riesling at the Australian Riesling Challenge