Vince Yurisich
2013 Icon of the Swan Valley (presented by Anthony Yurisich 6/9/12)
Good evening ladies and gentleman of the Swan and special guests.
In 2010 the Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers Association decided to recognise our proud heritage by acknowledging those people who have influenced winemaking in the Swan Valley.
To be eligible, a person must have exhibited a minimum of twenty five years of significant influence in the history or winemaking of the Swan Valley. Tonight’s inductee has more than achieved this and will join a growing group of icons who have helped shape the Swan Valley into what it is today.
Vince Yurisich followed in his father’s footsteps by taking over the family wine business, Olive Farm Wines in the early 1960’s. Vince had no formal training in winemaking or viticulture, learning all of his skills from his father Ivan along with another Swan Valley Icon, Dorham Mann.
After producing predominantly bulk wines at the humble winery in South Guildford, Vince produced his first bottled table wine in 1964. Vince won his first gold medal at the 1966 Perth Royal Show with his Muscat of Alexandria. During the 1970’s Vince won numerous awards for The Best Small Producer.
Vince was a longstanding member of the Perth Royal Show Wine Committee where he helped developed classes for small WA producers. Vince was the president of the Swan Valley Regional Winemakers Association for a number of years and was also heavily involved in the Swan Valley Vitners Club, in the capacity as wine master.
In 1981, Vince handed the family business over to his son Ian, where he continued to enjoy the wine industry and family business up until the day he passed away, in early 2000.
Vince was a very likeable gentleman and had made many lifelong friends in the Swan Valley during his lifetime, a few that no doubt are in this room tonight.
On a personal note, Vince, or dide as he was known to me, was a great role model and a huge inspiration. I have so much pride in being part of our family’s 4 generation winemaking business and the Swan Valley as a whole.
It is with great pleasure that I announce Vince Yurisich as the 2013 Icon of the Swan Valley.
Could I please invite Jan Yurisich, Vince’s wife and Ian Yurisich to come up and accept the award.
Icons of the Swan Valley Nomination
The Swan Valley has had a long tradition of winemaking and the Association will commence recognising our proud heritage by acknowledging those people who have influenced winemaking in the Swan Valley.
Eligibility
The nominee must have exhibited a minimum of 25 years of significant influence in the history of the Swan Valley or the advancement of winemaking in the Swan Valley.
Nominations
Nominations must be made on this form, giving details of the person nominated and brief reasons for the nomination. Nominations may be made by any member of the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association.
Criteria
The criteria should be addressed when nominating a candidate. It is helpful to include examples of how the nominee has contributed to the advancement of winemaking in the Swan Valley or has shown an outstanding contribution to the history, character and development of the region.
Selection of Nominees
The Committee members of the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Wine Show committee will and vote on the nominees to be inducted in this year’s award ceremony
The 2010 inaugural year of the awards the committee will induct up to six persons as Icons of the Swan Valley. In following years, one person per year may be inducted. The induction presentation will take place at the annual Swan Valley Wine Show Awards Dinner.
Inaugural Induction of six Icons of the Swan Valley in 2010
The Swan Valley celebrates its Past and Present
Friday September 17th 2010
Around 120 guests enjoyed a superb menu perfectly matched with outstanding examples of the Swan Valleys finest wines at the 2010 Swan Valley Wineshow Awards Dinner on Friday evening September 17th at Caversham House. In addition to recognising the finest Swan Valley wines and their winemakers, the evening also included recognising inductees into The Icons of the Swan Valley which was introduced by the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association to honour members of the Swan Valley community who have made an outstanding contribution to the wine industry in the Swan Valley.
The Six inaugural Swan Valley Icons
Jack Mann
Fred Noack
John Kosovich
Dorham Mann
Joe Zekulich
Adrien d’Espeisis
Their names were added to an honour board designed and created by Swan Valley artisan Antonio Battistessa who was commissioned by the SVRWA to produce the board which is on display at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in Guildford.
Icon of the Swan Valley 2011
Mike Zekulich
A PERFECT BLEND OF INNOVATION AND EXPERIENCE
One hundred and twenty five guests enjoyed some of the Swan Valley finest food and wines at the Swan Valley Wine show Awards dinner that was held at Caversham house on Friday evening September 16th.
The evening also featured the induction of this year’s Icon of the Swan Valley, Mr Mike Zekulich. Mike was a journalist with the West Australian Newspaper for over 4 decades and his induction follows that of his father, Joe Zekulich, who was inducted as an Icon of the Swan Valley in 2010. Mike Zekulich’s dedication to Swan Valley and the wines from the region have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of the wine industry in the Swan Valley.
Swan Valley Wine Show 2012
Corin Lamont
Corin Lamont induced as an Icon of the Swan Valley
The annual Swan Valley Wine Show Awards dinner was held for 140 guests last night at Belvoir Homestead. Guests enjoyed a menu designed by Belvoir’s chef to compliment some of the finest wines from the Swan Valley region.
The evening also featured the induction of Corin Lamont as the Icon of the Swan Valley for 2012.
Born in the Swan Valley and raised amongst the wineries and vineyards, wine is in her blood. On the advice of her father Jack Mann: one of the country’s best known and regarded winemakers, this year’s inductee worked with her family to replace plantings of currants and table grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1978 Corin crafted her first commercial vintage.
In an era with very few female winemakers, Corin was actively involved with the Swan Valley Vintners, The Swan Valley and Regional winemakers Association and the Swan Valley Tourism Council.
Her contribution continues to be valued: especially for her reasoned approached to issues and her clear vision for the success of the entire region and industry.
She recognised the future of the Swan Valley was in wine and food tourism and had the insight to introduce food at cellar door, which with her two daughters Kate and Fiona lead to the opening of their restaurant in 1989.
Due to recent surgery Corin was not able to attend the Awards evening and the honour was accepted on her behalf by her grandson Jack.