Otto dal Zotto, who pioneered prosecco in Australia, has been named the 2025 Victorian Legend of the Vine by the Wine Communicators of Australia.
The Dal Zotto Wines founder was recognised for his contribution to the Australian wine industry.
The award coincided with 21 years since Dal Zotto produced its first Australian-grown prosecco from its base in Victoria's King Valley.
What began as a vision to bring a taste of northern Italy’s prosecco tradition Down Under has evolved into one of Australia’s most significant wine success stories.
In 1999, Otto Dal Zotto planted the first prosecco vines in Australia, inspired by his hometown of Valdobbiadene in Veneto, Italy.
Five years later, in 2004, the family released their inaugural prosecco vintage, L’immigrante.
Two decades on, Prosecco has become synonymous with the King Valley, with Dal Zotto Wines at the forefront of the variety’s rise in popularity nationwide.
“I am surprised at how popular prosecco has become," Dal Zotto said.
"I wanted to grow some because I grew up with it. I used to walk through the vineyards to school, eating bunches of prosecco grapes; it’s a taste that’s part of my culture.
"To start a new variety takes a lot of time and effort, and it’s been wonderful to see Australians embrace it.”
Dal Zotto’s chief winemaker, Michael Dal Zotto, says: “This is an exciting industry to be a part of anyway, but to contribute the way the family has and introduce a variety into the market that has been
so well embraced makes us all so happy.
"The success of the wines and that we have helped to put King Valley on the map makes us extremely proud.”
“Dad didn’t just plant vines; he planted a dream,” says Dal Zotto marketing director Christian Dal Zotto.
“He turned bubbles into a movement and the King Valley into Italy’s southern outpost.
"Now he’s officially a legend - which he’s been reminding us of daily.”
The VIC Legend of the Vine Award is presented by WCA to recognise a Victorian 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.
Otto Dal Zotto is the eight Victorian to receive Legend of the Vine status. He joins a list that includes Lindsay McCall, Alister Purbrick, Steve Flamsteed, Jeni Port, Eric Vivian Thomson, Kathleen Quealy, Ross Brown and Colin Campbell.
No comments:
Post a Comment