Wolf Blass AM was awarded the 2026 South Australian Legend of the Vine on Friday at the Royal Adelaide Wine Awards Lunch.
On accepting the award he said, “There is one spot left on the walls of my Gallery & Museum [in Hahndorf], so I know exactly where this certificate is going.”
The SA Legend of the Vine Award is presented by Wine Communicators of Australia to recognise a South Australian who is of excellent character, who is held in high regard by their peers in the world of wine, and who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry.
The recipient must also demonstrably share WCA’s values on the importance of developing and inspiring excellence in how they communicate about wine.
Wolf Blass, 92, is a passionate wine communicator – someone who has taken the Australian wine message to the world with clarity, conviction and no shortage of personality.
He started his wine journey in Germany, where he completed a Certificate in Viticulture and Winemaking in 1952, followed by a Diploma in Oenology in 1954, and a Kellermeister qualification in 1956.
In 1961 he moved to the Barossa, beginning a career that would reshape the Australian wine story forever.
In 1967 he introduced a colour‑coded tiered label system for his wines – Grey, Yellow, Red, Black, Platinum – making wine more accessible, less intimidating, and far easier for everyday drinkers to understand.
This simple but brilliant communication breakthrough changed how Australians talked about wine.
His wines have dominated national awards, with over 10,000 wins including an unprecedented three consecutive Jimmy Watson Trophies from 1974 to 1976 – and again in 1999.
No other producer has won it four times.
He has previously been recognised as a Baron of the Barossa, a Member of the Order of Australia, a Senior Australian of the Year finalist and received the Australian Export Hero Award.
And beyond the bottle, his philanthropic footprint is extraordinary, with major contributions to sporting, cultural and community organisations across South Australia.
In 1994, on his 60th Birthday, he founded the Wolf Blass Foundation which now has a permanent home at the Wolf Blass Gallery & Museum in Hahndorf.
Wolf is the twelfth South Australian to receive the SA Legend of the Vine Award.
He joins a prestigious list that includes Prue Henschke, Jane Ferrari, Peter Hayes, Brian Croser AO, Pam Dunsford, Tony Love, Brian Walsh, d’Arry Osborne, Dr Patrick Iland OAM and Bill Hardy OAM, who presented Wolf with the Award Certificate on Friday.
Photo: Wolf Blass with Bill Hardy OAM.
Mergers & Acquisitions – Australian Winery Ownership Changes 1961-2026. A Wolf Blass Foundation initiative support by WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine.