Rachel Triggs, president of the Australasian Wine Law Association, reflects on the life of Owen Malone, a towering figure in the wine industry and always the life of the party.
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing late last week of Owen Malone, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Owen was a towering figure in the wine industry and the international wine law community.
Many of you will remember him from his years at Southcorp, Foster’s Group, and later Treasury Wine Estates, where his sharp intellect and irrepressible personality left an indelible mark.
Undoubtedly one of the best bush lawyers going around, Owen combined deep commercial acumen with a flair for creative problem-solving.
He was seminal in developing early brand protection strategies in China, helping Australian wine navigate one of the most challenging markets in the world.
His approach was never conventional, always inventive, always entertaining, and often ahead of its time.
He was someone you always wanted to have around the dinner table.
Under his leadership, intellectual property became embedded in the corporate DNA at Foster’s and Treasury Wine Estates.
Owen championed IP as a strategic business function and influenced both domestic and global policy.
His work contributed to landmark victories for Australian wine brands in China, including cases that secured “well-known” trademark status for Penfolds and set judicial precedents recognised by the Supreme People’s Court of China.
Owen also played a pivotal role in the Coonawarra Geographical Indication dispute, one of the most significant cases in Australian wine law history.
His legacy undoubtedly helped shape the regulatory framework for GI protection and label integrity in the Australian wine sector.
Owen was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Label Integrity Program, which underpins truth-in-labelling and traceability for vintage, variety and origin claims across the Australian wine supply chain.
This system continues to maintain and support the reputation of Australian wine on the global stage, strengthening consumer confidence and contributing to the success of Australian wine globally.
Beyond corporate success, Owen was a global thought leader.
He served on the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property for the Australian Government, chaired legislative review committees, and advised Wine Australia.
Internationally, he engaged with WIPO on global IP protection and the Madrid System, and was a huge advocate, contributor and supporter of the International Wine Law Association.
His influence extended to academia, where he mentored future IP professionals through both formal and informal channels.
But Owen’s professional achievements tell only part of the story.
He was someone people flocked to.
He was never short of a story, always the life of the party.
His warmth, humour and generosity of spirit made him not just a colleague but a friend to so many.
Owen’s passing is a profound loss to the Australasian Wine Law Association and the broader wine world.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Please join me in raising a glass to Owen.
A true original who is already missed.
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