Langton’s is holding a fundraising auction for Tasmanian wine identity Vaughn Dell’s family from 14-26 July.
Vaughn died unexpectedly in the early hours of 19 May at home on the Sinapius Vineyard.
He was only 39 and left behind his wife Linda and young daughters Esme and Clementine.
Donations of wine for the auction are welcome and can be delivered to Langton’s warehouse at 43 Industrial Ave, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria 3029 by 3 July.
Please clearly mark the wine ‘Family Dell Fundraiser’. Contact tony@moorstwines.com for any further information.
A trust account has been set up to help the girls now and in the children’s future – Linda Jean Morice in trust for Esme and Clementine Dell (BSB 087-728, Account 97-768-6325).
As a teenager Vaughn was a gifted athlete and played basketball, representing Tasmania. He later played AFL, playing for Tassie Mariners, Burnie Dockers and Sydney.
Vaughn chose to leave a promising AFL career to focus on his love of grapes and wine.
In 2005 Vaughn and his wife Linda bought their vineyard at Pipers Brook when they were both 23.
They spent the next 14 years high-density planting the Sinapius vineyard. He was way ahead of his time, particularly for someone who was so young and his experience in the industry at that time was minimal. He planted some 30,000 vines, mostly all with his own hands. Often from vines he propagated himself.
The vineyard now has 11 different varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay Musqué and Gamay. With up to 50 different clones.
Vaughn had a meticulous attention to detail that was evident in everything he did. He was uncompromising in the vineyard. His intuition, sense and belief that if there is a better way to do things, then you should always do better. For example conversion to organics in the vineyard, new crawler tractor last year with low compaction and underline cultivation gear.
His approach was always so global. It was not enough to know what’s happening in Tasmania or Australia, he desperately wanted to know what was happening in the Old World.
He was a deserving winner of the Dr Don Martin Sustainable Viticulture Fellowship in 2017 and travelled with Linda and his daughters overseas to study.
Vaughn wanted to build a wine brand and business that was going to be here for the long term. He allowed Sinapius to grow organically and sustainably. Integrity was so important to him.
He was brave, patient and backed himself with every decision he made.
The vineyard was his happy place and where he preferred to be.
He leaves behind Linda to carry on in Sinapius Vineyard that they both created together and his two young daughters Esme and Clementine who are promising basketballers.
It was revealed at the funeral that the midwife who delivered Vaughn was Linda’s mother who was pregnant with Linda at the time.
So they were destined to be together.
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