Alex Cassegrain from Cassegrain Wines in the Hastings River wine region in NSW, was named the 2021 Winemaker of the Year at the ASVO (Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology) Awards for Excellence.
The ASVO Awards for Excellence recognises the most dedicated and professional individuals in the Australian wine industry, that show exceptional leadership, ability and vision. The NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine) would like to acknowledge and congratulate Alex Cassegrain on this prestigious award and recognition for his outstanding work and leadership during the 2020 season when bushfires and smoke threatened the livelihoods of many growers across NSW.
The ASVO selected Alex Cassegrain as a finalist in the winemaker of the year category, and ultimate winner, due to his wide-ranging positive contributions to the Australian wine industry and also his innovative work on the effects of smoke taint on grapes. Alex has and is, extensively trialling techniques and procedures to find the best possible solutions for the effects of smoke taint in wine grapes. The 2020 bush fires had a devastating impact on a significant portion of grape growing regions in NSW, which motivated Alex to work in unison with growers, suppliers, research companies and agencies to further the industries understanding of smoke taint, and how it can best be treated during and after ferment, to either mitigate or reduce its effects on wine.
Alex Cassegrain said, “To be nominated and named the ASVO’s Winemaker of the Year is such a great honour. I strongly believe that this award is one for everyone involved in our work, in particular the growers who went through such an ordeal during the bushfires. The idea of leaving grapes on the vine due to something quite unknown like smoke wasn’t a solution and that’s where we decided to try everything to see if we could turn a negative into a positive, and in some cases we did.”
“Receiving this award gives me the confidence to always push the boundaries and to continue to be innovative. A big thankyou to the ASVO committee for everything they do for the industry. I feel like this marks the beginning of a brighter future going forward.”
NSW Wine President Mark Bourne said, “This Award is very well-deserved recognition of Alex’s contribution and commitment to our industry and we extend him our ardent congratulations. To be named a finalist in the ASVO Awards is something to be very proud of, and this year we were delighted that two out of the six finalists were from the first state of wine, NSW. Our sincere congratulations also go out to Darren Fahey, from NSW Department of Primary Industries, who was a finalist for the 2021 ASVO Viticulturist of the Year Award.”
Mark added “These awards highlight how the NSW wine industry and the new generation of winemakers and growers are collaborating and embracing innovative practices, that will help lead the Australian wine industry into the future.”
Additionally, Cassegrain Wines has recently secured a grant from the Cooperative Research Centres Projects, together with industry partners in Australia and NZ, for longer term projects using innovative methods. Alex hopes this will add much to the future understanding of the impact of fires in all viticultural regions, saying “I’m confident that further development of some of the techniques we’ve trialled will lead to worldwide availability of these techniques. Turning disaster into a potential internationally recognised innovation.”
Check Out Cassegrain’s Member’s Listing in the directory
Cassegrain Experience
The Cassegrain Winery is the ideal setting for all occasions, from a romantic wedding to a casual picnic, featuring extensive grounds, a formal garden with picnic areas and boasting over 2000 stunning rose bushes lining the entrance to the winery.
The sweeping lawns of the Oval, set within the vineyards, forms a natural amphitheatre where a number of concerts are held each year.
The drive from the entrance to the grounds through the forest of trees and past the formal gardens is a treat in itself, with hundreds of flowering rose bushes, flame trees and jacarandas lining the grounds as you wind your way through the vineyards, past the formal garden and picnic areas with BBQ facilities. You will also pass the Oval where numerous outdoor events are held throughout the year.
Ideal for that product launch, corporate function or private ceremony the formal gardens or outdoor stage (at the Oval) make for the perfect venue.
The winery and vineyards at Cassegrain have become a significant tourist destination in the Port Macquarie area. Its close proximity to the thriving coastal resort town of Port Macquarie, and easy access off the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane, has made it a popular destination for both local and visiting wine enthusiasts.
The winery overlooks rolling vineyards and magnificent rose gardens created by Eva Cassegrain. A lovely picnic area with BBQ facilities is set amongst rolling lawns and rose bushes and the formal garden is perfect for that romantic wedding setting or corporate function.
The contemporary and spacious Cellar Door provides visitors with the opportunity to taste the full range of Cassegrains wines, and the open plan nature of the winery allows visitors to view the winemaking team at work. Also available on sale is a range of branded merchandise (shirts, corkscrews etc) together with a range of local produce including olives, soaps, nuts and jams) come and have a browse!
A natural amphitheatre is set amongst the vineyards. Together with the formal gardens and private tasting room, the ampitheatre is regularly used for corporate functions, entertainment events and private ceremonies.
Guests to Cassegrain winery can also enjoy any of the Cassegrain range of wines at our restaurant, situated adjacent to the Cellar Door.
Cassegrains winemaking team is headed by John Cassegrain. John is highly regarded in the wine industry and considered somewhat of a pioneer through his interest in establishing new regions, encouraging more sustainable farming practices and exploring new grape varieties. Cassegrain was the first winery to grow and produce Chambourcin commercially in Australia.
Read more about John in this excerpt from “Confessions of the Winemaker” by Kristin Westlake, Judith Kennedy and Catherine Retter, published in 2004 by Halstead Press.
John Cassegrain embraces new technology yet is a traditionalist in his winemaking philosophy. He combines his French heritage and experience with modern Australian technology to produce wines which have a significant point of difference.
In the late 1970s, as major advancements were being made in Australian wine technology, John Cassegrain was undertaking his Bachelor in Oenology at South Australia’s renowned Roseworthy College. Having been influenced by these advances in wine science, John then developed his hands-on experience with ten vintages at Tyrrells Winery in the Hunter Valley and several vintages in France including the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions.
The French heritage of the Cassegrain family together with Johns experience in France has significantly influenced the style of winemaking at Cassegrain: traditional French winemaking methods are married with the latest Australian technological advances.
2444
![Trudyellen Richards](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09e84a0e714006838f1475470bd10cd2?s=96&r=g&d=https://www.gpmtourism.com.au/wp-content/plugins/userswp/assets/images/no_profile.png)