Dux Of The Len Evans Tutorial

Andrea Pritzker MW has won the Basil Sellers Prize for Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial 2022.

Andrea, who became a Master of Wine in 2015 and now works as a wine educator in Sydney, will fly business class to Europe with Len Evans Tutorial sponsor Singapore Airlines to visit some of the most famous wine producing regions and producers in the world.

Many of the rarest, oldest and greatest wines were opened in an extraordinary few days from 31 October to 4 November when 12 Australian wine professionals including sommeliers, wine writers, educators, trade and winemakers were put through some of most rewarding tastings of their lives.

Highlights of this year’s tutorial included a masterclass of Cullen Wines Cabernets with Vanya Cullen including a Diana Madeline vertical from 2018 to 2001, the Evolution of Australian Chardonnay with Michael Hill Smith MW and a dinner bracket of 1965 Australian red wines including Lindemans Bin 3110, Hardy’s Private Bin Burgundy 633 and Penfolds St Henri Claret.

Friday’s session always concludes with a masterclass of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and this year seven wines were tasted blind.

Chair Iain Riggs AM says, “Andrea is a very worthy winner as she excelled in all aspects of this week’s judging, masterclasses and written exercise.

“Andrea was the top performer across the written exercise and the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti tasting.”

The Len Evans Tutorial has proved to be an invaluable training ground for its scholars many of whom have gone on to become wine show chairs, senior wine judges and industry leaders.

Len Evans’ vision and legacy has been about increasing the skills (tasting, wine literacy, understanding of quality) of Australian wine professionals.

Basil Sellers AM, Patron of the Len Evans Tutorial says, “The Tutorial is important as one of its goals is to encourage winemakers to strive to further improve the quality of Australian wine.”

Board member James Halliday AM says, “The Tutorial presents wines otherwise largely unavailable to the 12 scholars, either because of their price or scarcity.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all those who attend.”

This was the 20^th anniversary of the Tutorial and included a Round Table Strategic Review and Celebration Dinner attended by the board, tutors, organising committee, past dux and sponsors.

The Tutorial also marked a change of guard with an expanded group of national tutors including chair Iain Riggs AM, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Sarah Crowe, Sam Connew, Tyson Stelzer, Philip Rich, Tom Carson, Randall Pollard, Vanya Cullen, Dave Brookes, Patrick Walsh, Amanda Yallop, Jim Chatto, Mike De Iuliis, Stuart Hordern, Liz Silkman, Adam Wadewitz and Sue Bell.

240 scholars have now graduated from the Tutorial over two decades and this year included:

Applications for the 2023 tutorial will open in June 2023.

The Len Evans Tutorial was founded by Len Evans AO OBE in 2001.

It is a not-for-profit organisation funded entirely by donations and sponsorships from companies and individuals related to the wine industry. All tutors and pourers volunteer their time each year to run the Tutorial.

Board members are Iain Riggs AM (chair), Sarah Crowe, Sally Evans, James Halliday AM, Basil Sellers AM and Michael Hill Smith AM MW.

Photograph: Chris Elfes Photography.

Related content

Lauren Hansen named Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial