WINEMAKER Tom Guthrie is the first person to receive a Grampians Grape Escape life membership.
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The Grampians Estate owner said he was honoured, surprised and a little embarrassed to receive the award.
“There are so many other people who have put in many hours alongside me,” he said.
Mr Guthrie has been an exhibitor at the event for 21 years and a volunteer for 25 years.
He has been on the Grampians Grape Escape committee and helped run many activities on the day. “I have helped with the auction and the grape stomping activity,” he said.
“I’ve been involved in master classes and help organise many lead up events.
“In general, I try to promote this brilliant event as much as I can.
“I’m a great believer in this being the premier event for wine and food.”
Mr Guthrie said he was passionate about the Grampians winemaking industry.
“If we can promote the region, then we are promoting all the individuals within that region,” he said. “It’s exciting to be involved with a festival that is so good.
“Other festivals in the past have fallen over, but this one seems to go from strength to strength.”
Mr Guthrie said the season had been difficult for winemakers this year.
“With the drought and a lack of water, we had a very early vintage, which was the result of an early summer,” he said.
“It’s been very trying, but like all farmers, we are optimistic about the year ahead.”