THE LATEST EVANS LEGEND: A LEGEND IN HER OWN RIGHT
A big congratulations to Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Board member and Sydney Royal Wine Committee Councillor, Sally Evans, who was announced as this year’s recipient of the renowned Wine Communicators of Australia Legend of the Vine at the recent 2024 Sydney Royal Wine Trophy Winners Lunch.
Joining the RAS Council in 2010, Sally has contributed significantly to the development and growth of the Sydney Royal Wine Show as a judge, committee member, and RAS Wine Committee Chair, a role she held for six years. Sally has also given her time to the Sydney Royal Fine Food Committee and RAS Foundation, and now sits on the RAS Board of Directors.
Sally is the twelfth person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in NSW, and joins a prestigious national list that includes Liz Riley, Andrew Caillard MW, Sandra Przibilla, Lyndey Milan, Huon Hooke, Clive Hartley, Iain Riggs, Rob Hirst and David Lowe.
Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) Executive Chair and RAS Wine Committee Chair, Angus Barnes said of the announcement, “WCA is delighted to be able to honour Sally. Whilst small in stature, she is very mighty in her contributions and is a true friend to the Australian wine industry.”
Commenting on the award Sally said, “Being named a Legend of the Vine is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s an incredible honour to join such a stellar list of contributors, many of them my own mentors and friends. I am just so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful industry (since birth) and proud to have been able to do my bit along the way.”
Sally has wine in her blood as daughter of wine legend Len Evans, but she only joined the industry herself after her business studies and travels took her to Paris and then London, where she became the Wine Buyer for Michael Morgan. This was followed by a long stint back in Australia as the McWilliams Wine Group Marketing Manager, where she was the first female member of the executive team, and held a number of board positions, including Tower Estate and also overseeing the Family Wine Company.
With over 20 years of wine marketing, communicating and consulting under her belt, she also has a very distinguished career in volunteering. She became involved in the Len Evans Tutorial and Len Evans Foundation in 2006 and is currently the Chair of this organisation.
The Evans family have a long and proud association with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, with Sally’s father, Len Evans, joining the Sydney Royal Wine Show judging panel in 1963 and taking on the role of Chair of Judges from 1978 to 2000.
About the Legend of the Vine Award
The Legend of the Vine Award was first introduced in NSW in 2014 and then extends across Victoria and South Australia with annual awards issued in each of these states. The WCA Board and State Chapters select the nominees from each state, with the final winner determined by the WCA National Board.
