The Jack Mann Memorial Medal (JMMM) was established in 1989, in conjunction with the Sheraton Wine Awards, in honour of the legendary Houghton winemaker, Jack Mann.
In the year 2002, the Sheraton Hotel ceased its involvement. The medal continues to be presented solely by the Western Australian Wine Press Club (WAWPC)
After many years of service to the club, Mr Michael Zekulich was appointed trustee in 2002 and handed the baton over to the Hon. Dr Ken Michael AC in 2016.
Nominations are invited from financial members of the WAWPC. “People who have made a significant/major contribution to the WA wine industry” can be nominated for the medal.
The Trustee, President and one additional committee member, together with other wine writer members, meet to select the recipient of the medal.
The JMMM presentation is the single most important and prestigious event on the WAWPC calendar. The medal remains solely the property of the WA Wine Press Club Est 1976.
JACK MANN MEMORIAL MEDAL RECIPIENTS
2022 – Virginia Willcock
Virginia’s creativity and curiosity have underpinned decades of innovation and evolution at Vasse Felix, and a more recent milestone is the regional icon, the TOM CULLITY, which demonstrates the heights of quality, purity, and personality that Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon can achieve, in an internationally relevant context.
Known for her openness and generosity when it comes to sharing knowledge and insights with her peers, along with her passion for continued excellence and improvement in the Margaret River and Western Australian industries.
Awarded Winemaker of the Year on numerous occasions in Australia and Internationally and is also one of the country’s most trusted spokespeople for Margaret River and Western Australian wines.
On behalf of the WAWPC members and friends would like to Congratulate Virginia Willcock on her career and contribution to the WA wine industry.
2021 – Bob Cartwright and John Brocksopp
Bob began his winemaking career in 1963 at Kaiser Stuhl in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. In 1973 he relocated to WA and in 1978 joined Leeuwin Estate for their first vintage. He spent 28 vintages with Leeuwin and is credited with having crafted what was to become known as one of Australia’s finest Chardonnays, the Leeuwin Estate Art Series. Establishing Margaret River Chardonnay as a world class wine was one of Bob’s significant career highlights.
John joined Leeuwin Estate in 1979 as vineyard manager/production director. Born in Renmark in South Australia’s Riverland, he gained viticultural experience in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. At Leeuwin he quickly saw the need to improve the vine growing environment, by establishing wind breaks to protect the vines from the equinoctial gales. He continued to introduce many innovations to provide the wine maker with high quality, distinctively flavoured fruit. As production manager, John had an holistic view of the whole production process and was instrumental in delivering the best possible fruit to the winery each vintage.
2020 – John Jens
Despite being a Victorian, John’s enthusiasm for the wines of Western Australia borders on fanatical. Statistics are Johns forté, and he regularly uses them to illustrate how WA wines consistently punch above their weight, especially Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. His enthusiasm and promotion of WA wine has been and continues to be exceptional.
2019 – Keith and Clare Mugford
Keith and Clare purchased Moss Wood Wines from Bill & Sandra Pannell in 1985 and have continued to produce wines of outstanding quality. Established in 1969, Moss Wood is now firmly established as one of the first growths of Margaret River. Their contribution to the prestige of WA wine is undeniably of great significance.
2018 – Gavin Berry
Gavin has been an enthusiastic advocate and long term player in the Great Southern; he was Senior Winemaker at Plantagenet Wines from 1994 to 2004 and now Senior winemaker at West Cape Howe. The success of his wines across all price brackets has underscored his significant contribution to the Western Australian wine industry.
2017 – Robert Bowen
Rob has had a long and illustrious career in the WA wine industry, and his contribution is most significant. His WA career began in 1979 at the then-fledgling Great Southern winery of Plantagenet, followed by Capel Vale wines, a stint at Palliser in New Zealand, then Willow Bridge in the Ferguson Valley. He became Chief Winemaker at Houghton and since 2009 has his own labels Robert Bowen and Pemberley.
2016 – David and Heather Watson
The Watsons were among the early pioneers in Margaret River and have established themselves in the upper echelon of WA wineries. David and Heather have consistently promoted the quality and excellence of Western Australian wines.
2015 – David Hohnen
Synonymous with Cape Mentelle, David’s contribution to the Margaret River region is outstanding. Winning consecutive Jimmy Watson trophies in 1983 and 1984 certainly went a long way to putting Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon on the Australian wine map. David continues to be an enthusiastic advocate for the region.
2014 – Bill Crappsley
Bill began his career in 1964 working under Jack Mann at the Houghton Winery. In 1968 he moved to South Australia and spent the next 10 years taking in McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, the Hunter Valley, the Riverland and the Barossa. In 1972 he began advising Evans & Tate and joined them for vintage 1978. After 15 vintages, he left to join Sandalford for a seven-year period and has been free-lance since 2001. Bill has judged at all the WA shows and did 4 years of wine talk-back with Verity James on ABC radio, and he continues to be an enthusiastic promoter of WA wine.
2013 – Michael Tamburri
Larger than life, Michael is the man behind the La Vigna liquor store; he is an enthusiastic promoter of Western Australian wine and is actively involved in many aspects of the wine and food industry. Michael’s commitment to the dissemination of wine knowledge is highly regarded.
2012 – Dorham Mann OAM
As an extension oenologist with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture in the early 1960’s Dorham, under Bill Jamieson, was involved with the development of vineyards in The Great Southern and Margaret River. In 1973 Dorham Joined Sandalford Wines and was responsible for the production of much of the early fruit from both regions. A wine of particular note was the Forrest Hill vineyard’s 1975 Riesling winning 12 gold medals and 9 trophies in Australian wine shows. Dorham has been a senior wine judge for well over 30 years and was inducted into the ‘Icons of the Valley’ in 2010.
2011 – Betty Quick (Pearse)
Betty & Tony Pearse were pioneers of The Great Southern wine industry. The Department of Agriculture planted the first experimental vineyard at the Pearse’s Mt Barker property in 1965; it failed and was re-planted soon after; it then flourished. The early wines were a positive, medal-winning indication of the area’s potential, and despite many early mishaps, the vineyard is now consistently producing wines of outstanding quality.
2010 – Ray Jordan
Ray is one of Australia’s most respected wine journalists and has been writing about wine for over 40 years. He has regularly judged at wine shows around Australia and has authored or co-authored several books on wine. Ray contributes two weekly columns to ‘The West Australian’ and one to the ‘Sunday Times’. He also writes the annual ‘West Australian Wine Guide’. Ray’s contribution to the knowledge and understanding of Western Australian wine is outstanding.
2009 – Will Nairn
Will founded ‘Peel Estate’ in 1974 and quickly established a reputation for making very high-quality Shiraz. He holds a ‘Great Shiraz Tasting’ for six-year-old Australian Shiraz’s and pits Peel Estate against Australia’s best; his wine is rarely outside the top 4 or 5. Will has been a senior wine judge at Perth and other WA wine shows. His contribution to the WA wine industry is significant.
2008 – Tony Devitt
Tony’s contribution to the Western Australian wine industry is far-reaching. He has been Senior Viticulturist with the Department of Agriculture, a practising wine maker and winery owner, the President of the Royal Agricultural Society, instrumental in forming the Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association of WA and has won numerous industry awards and many other accolades. Suffice to say, his contribution to Western Australian wine has been nothing short of outstanding.
2007 – John Griffiths
John spent eight years as president of the Wine Industry Association of WA and six years as president of the Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers Association. John has contributed throughout the state as a wine judge at Perth, Mt Barker, Swan Valley, Geographe, Margaret River and Blackwood Valley wine shows. He was employed as Lecturer in Wine Science by Curtin University for six years and has consulted extensively.
2006 – Dr Tom Cullity
Tom is one of the three pioneers of the Margaret River wine region, along with Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s) and Bill Pannell (Moss Wood). He enthusiastically embraced John Gladstones’ suggestions, establishing Vasse Felix in 1967 and beginning what has become one of the outstanding wineries in the region.
2005 – Merv and Judy Lange
Merv & Judy are true pioneers of The Great Southern, having planted their first vines at Alkoomi, their Frankland River property, in 1971. Alkoomi produces exceptional wines, and the Lange’s have been and continue to be passionate ambassadors of the Frankland River wine region.
2004 – John Kosovich OAM
John was an inaugural inductee into the Swan Valley ‘Icons of the Valley’ in 2010. John is a true son of the valley; having started his winemaking career in 1953, he is perhaps the longest, still serving, winemaker in Australia. He is also a very highly respected wine judge, and his contribution to the WA wine industry has been outstanding.
2003 – Lloyd Meredith
Lloyd of MGM Wine Distributors was recognised for his strong support of the WA wine industry. He and his wife Jan pioneered educational wine tours to Margaret River, and they launched a series of events aimed at promoting the wines of Western Australia.
2002 – Dr Bill Pannell AM
One of the three pioneers of the Margaret River wine region. Establishing Moss Wood in 1969, he, along with Tom Cullity (Vasse Felix) and Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s), did the groundbreaking work that vindicated John Gladstones’ research. Moss Wood and Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon are now well established on the world wine map.
2001 – Paul Conti
Winemaker, wine judge, former Royal Perth show committee member and a tireless supporter and promoter of WA wines. Paul is considered a pioneer of the modern WA wine industry and has devoted enormous amounts of time and effort, not only to his own business but also to assist others.
2000 – Mike Zekulich OAM
Journalist, indefatigable supporter of Western Australian wine and author of numerous books on the WA wine industry and its people. Mike has been and still is a constant promoter of the quality and diversity of WA wine. His enthusiasm and support for Western Australian wine have never waned.
1999 – Pam McGregor
Pam was a former president of the Mt Barker & District Agricultural Society Inc, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Wine Show Committee and Secretary and Treasurer of the Great Southern Wine Producers Association. From a humble beginning in 1978 (26 entries from 10 exhibitors), Pam steered the fledgling wine show, a very small section of the Mount Barker and District Agricultural Society Show, into the highly regarded The Wine Show of Western Australia.
1998 – Di Cullen
One of the pioneers of the Margaret River wine region Di Cullen was a hardworking, passionate and tireless advocate of the Margaret River region and its wines. Di, with no formal training in winemaking, produced some exceptional wine and laid the quality foundations of what Cullen wines have become.
1997 – Stewart Van Raalte
Raconteur, Bon Vivant, writer and all-round personality, Stewart was the first of the non-industry persons to receive the Jack Mann medal. His indefatigable efforts to promote the wines of Western Australia, particularly during the formative years of the South West and Great Southern, were truly outstanding.
1996 – Dennis and Tricia Horgan
Among the second wave of Margaret River, wine pioneers were the Horgan’s. Their contribution to this region has been and continues to be very significant. Along with their highly regarded wines, the annual Leeuwin Concerts are a major local, national and international tourist drawcard for the region.
1995 – Tony Smith
Another of the early pioneers. In 1968 Tony planted a trial vineyard in the Mt Barker region of the Great Southern and quickly realised the potential. Further plantings took place in 1971, and in 1974 the first wines were produced under the Plantagenet label. His contribution to and enthusiasm for the Great Southern and the success of the Plantagenet brand has been outstanding.
1994 – Rod Properjohn
Rod is a wine educator and writer; his contribution to the understanding of wine and especially wine of Western Australia has been significant. As a wine education lecturer at the WA Wine Industry Association, he brought the understanding and appreciation of wine to many hundreds of students.
1993 – John Hanley AM
John played an important role as a judge and then senior wine judge at the Royal Perth Wine Show, and as a long-term committee member, he made significant contributions to the standing and reputation of the Perth Wine Show. John constantly promoted WA wines and also judged at many other wine shows both within WA and interstate.
1992 – John Tate AM
In the early 1970s, John Tate and John Evans purchased the Gnangara winery in the Swan Valley and began their winemaking business as Evans & Tate. They soon realised the potential of Margaret River and, in 1974, were among the second wave of enthusiasts to establish vineyards in the area. John Tate made significant contributions as a show judge and wine show committee member of the Royal Perth Wine Show. He was also instrumental in the decision to invite an International wine judge to the Perth Show each year.
1991 – Robin Clarke
Robin developed a passion for the hospitality industry from a young age working her way up in the Houghton Wine Company as a National Sales Manager and Business Development Manager. Robin joined the Catering Institute of Australia in 1982 as a Fellow and member of the State Council. For many years Robin was an integral part of the team, helping present the Gold Plate Awards each year and with her wealth of knowledge acted as the Chair of Judges.
1990 – Bill Jamieson
At the time of John Gladstones’ paper, Bill was the State Viticulturist with the Agricultural Department of Western Australia and as such played a pivotal role in the early establishment of both Mt Barker in The Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions. Bill’s enthusiasm for the WA wine industry and his ability to garner some State Government support was of great importance.
1989 – Dr John Gladstones AO
The inaugural winner and justifiably so. John’s 1965 paper entitled “The Climate and Soils of South Western Australia in Relation to Vine growing” instigated the first plantings in the Margaret River region. Tom Cullity (Vasse Felix), Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s originally Wilyabrup Wines) and Bill Pannell (Moss Wood) followed John’s advice and between them were the foundation members of this now world-famous wine region.