Juniper winemaker named Dux of Len Evans Tutorial

Juniper Estate head winemaker Andrew Bretherton has been awarded the Basil Sellers Prize for Dux of the 2025 Len Evans Tutorial.

Andrew joined 11 other Australian wine professionals to attend the 23rd Tutorial from 3-7 November at Spicer’s Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley.

The five residential days are often coined ‘the greatest wine school in the world’.

As Dux, Andrew receives $10,000 to further his global wine education.

Andrew said: “The Len Evans tutorial has been a dream for many years but nothing truly prepares you for the whirlwind of truly epic wines, insightful and generous tutors and the great connections made amongst during the week.

“It really is the greatest wine week of your life, and I know I will hold these amazing memories for life.”

Andrew has spent nearly 20 years in the industry crafting award-winning wines from beautiful sites in Margaret River and beyond.

His international experience includes significant winemaking stints in the Mosel, Burgundy and Chianti Classico, as well as at celebrated Australian wineries like De Bortoli Yarra Valley and Deep Woods Estate.

The lucky 12, including sommeliers, winemakers, media and trade professionals, were selected from a record 189 applications to receive invaluable training and education from an array of world-class tutors.

The intensive week is designed to elevate their contribution to the Australian wine show system, nurture future industry leaders and develop better all-round wine professionals.

LET tutor and deputy chair Sarah Crowe said, “As we see each year, there were a number of high performing scholars that made the final selection of Dux a difficult one forcing us to review each part of the wine program in detail to make the final selection.”

This year’s Tutorial masterclasses included an historical look at Clonakilla, Marsanne with Alister Purbrick of Tahbilk, A Tour through Burgundy, Left-Bank Bordeaux, and Prestige Champagne, culminating in Friday’s showcase of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

A core component of the program involved five judging workshops, each featuring 30 wines served blind.

The judging sessions focused on grape varieties and styles relevant to the Australian wine industry, covering Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon blends, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay.

The tradition of formal dinners continued each evening, starting with a deep dive into the History and Heritage of Australia Wine lead by Andrew Caillard MW.

An extraordinary series of aged and rare wine flights were presented, offering scholars a unique opportunity to experience exceptional vintages that may not be readily available elsewhere.

Chair Sally Evans said, “It’s so gratifying that the energy and enthusiasm for the Tutorial continues at such high levels and thank all those who helped us create a life-changing experience for our 2025 scholars.

“Whilst sharing, tasting and talking about wine quality is a key focus, the Tutorial has also become a vital hub for sharing Australia’s rich wine history.

“My father [Len Evans] achieved many things in his life, but the Tutorial is perhaps his most meaningful legacy.”

Founding tutor James Halliday AM has joined philanthropist Basis Sellers AM as patron of the Len Evans Tutorial.

Len Evans AO OBE founded the LET 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.

Foundation Sponsors
Brokenwood, Leeuwin Estate, Mount Pleasant, Shaw + Smith, Tahbilk Wines, Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Yalumba Wine Company.

Sponsors
Cullen Wines, Deep Woods Estate, De Iuliis Wines, Evans Family, Handpicked Wines, Joval, Merivale, Riedel, Spicers Guesthouse, Tapanappa, The Royal Adelaide Wine Show, The Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, The National Wine Show, The Royal Queensland Wine Awards, The Sydney Royal Wine Show, Torbreck Vintners, Treasury Wine Estates, Vasse Felix, Wine Ark, Yarra Yering, Yangarra Estate Vineyard.

Tutors
Adam Wadewitz, Alister Purbrick, Amanda Yallop, Annette Lacey MW, Andrew Caillard MW, Virginia Willcock, Iain Riggs AM, Jeremy Stockman, Jim Chatto, Ken Dobler, Kerri Thomson, Liz Silkman, Louisa Rose, Melanie Chester, Michael Hill-Smith AM MW, Mike De Iuliis, Nick Paterson, PJ Charteris, Peter Fraser, Philip Rich, Rhys Eather, Sarah Crowe, Shanteh Wale, Steve Pannell, Stuart Hordern, Tim Kirk, Tom Carson and Tyson Stelzer.