THE Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology recently announced its 2018 Awards for Excellence winners with Pete Bissell of Balnaves of Coonawarra named winemaker of the year.
Mr Bissell has been a quiet achiever and a champion of the Coonawarra wine industry, with his peers labelling it a deserved accolade.
The talented winemaker is a foundation member of the Limestone Coast Wine Show, chair of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council and a member of the Limestone Coast Technical Committee, which coordinates the delivery of research and extension activities in the region.
Mr Bissell is the lead author of the red winemaking chapter of Australian Winemaking and in 2016 worked closely with industry groups and stakeholders to present wine industry concerns on fracking to the South Australian parlimentary inquiry into unconventional gas in the Limestone Coast.
Since graduating from Roseworthy and gaining first-class honours from the University of Canterbury, he has made wines for several companies and gained international experience, including time spent in the south of France and Moldova.
Mr Bissell has completed 38 vintages, including the last 30 in Coonawarra, has been a wine show judge since 2000 and has judged at numerous wine shows across Australia.
“Pete has been a keen innovator both in the winery and the vineyard and is eager to share his knowledge,” award selection committee chair Wendy Cameron said.
“He has also been involved with the development and commercialisation of berry sorting equipment that provides considerable cost advantages.
“These qualities encapsulate the society’s winemaker of the year award.”
