Nothing to whine about

By Kath Gannaway
JAMES Halliday’s more than 40 year passion for the wine industry has seen him acclaimed as the grand master of Australian wine.
Mr Halliday was made a Member of the Order of Australia in Monday’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
From his home, overlooking the Coldstream Hills vineyards he sold more than a decade ago, he orchestrates a life which revolves around wine – judging, writing, making and mentoring – and which takes him around the world.
The award recognises personal achievements, which include judging in Australia, the UK, Europe, USA and South Africa, many as chairman of judges.
He has written or co-authored over 60 books on wine since 1979 and writes regularly for food and wine magazines and newspapers and has played a leading role in a raft of Australian and international wine organisations.
Mr Halliday said he was honoured to receive the award.
“It is recognition of an individual’s contribution and of the importance of the wine industry,” he said.
He speaks passionately about the art and the science of winemaking – the magic of its infinite complexity.
“Every vintage you start as a winemaker, at the back of your mind is the hope you are going to make a better wine than you have before.”
The greatest satisfaction, he said, comes from passing on knowledge – and he has accumulated a wealth of it.
“One of the strengths of the Australian wine industry is the willingness to share knowledge and solutions to problems; no other country does that to the extent Australia does,” he said.
There has been great satisfaction in Australia’s place on the international wine stage since 1985, when he came to the Yarra Valley.
“Within 20 to 30 years, we are the fourth largest exporter of wine behind France, Italy and Spain.”
He won’t, however, be resting on this latest laurel and sees the award as carrying expectations he will continue to work for.
“That is, by various means to try to bring to people, not just in Australia, but in other parts of the world, the knowledge and appreciation of Australian wines.”