Hunter wine industry identity Christopher Barnes has been awarded the prestigious Graham Gregory Award for his outstanding contribution to the industry.
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The award was presented by the Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson at the NSW Wine Industry Awards luncheon.
He joins such identities as Len Evans, Murray Tyrrell, Max Lake and Don McWilliam in receiving the award.
Mr. Barnes has been a leader in the industry for more than 40 years, was president of the Hunter Valley Wine Association for eight years, president of the NSW Wine Industry Association for nine years and on the executive of the Wine Federation of Australia (the industry’s peak body) in Adelaide for five years.
He has also been on the National Wine and Grape Industry Council as well as being the chairman of the industry’s licensing committee for 14 years.
He was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services in 2003.
Mr. Barnes developed over 600 acres of vineyards and a winery, as well as establishing Blaxlands Restaurant in Pokolbin in the 1970s.
He was inducted as a Hunter Wine Industry Living Legend in 2010 and has recently retired with his wife to the Nelson Bay area.
“The Graham Gregory Award was established to acknowledge individual contribution to the NSW wine industry, which makes Chris Barnes a very worthy recipient,” Ms. Hodgkinson said.
“Mr. Barnes is widely recognised by his peers as the driving force behind the formation of the NSW Wine Industry Association and a fearless advocate for the interests of winemakers and grape growers in NSW.
“He has worked tirelessly as an industry advocate during his 40-year involvement with the NSW wine industry, holding a range of industry positions including former president of the NSW Wine Industry Association from 1999 to 2005.
“The association’s current standing and its strength of purpose is in no small part due to Mr Barnes’ vision, leadership and commitment to the industry.”
The Graham Gregory Award is named after the former NSW Agriculture Deputy Director General, Graham Gregory, who is regarded as a significant pioneer of the NSW industry.
