New Zealand's P-J Charteris name Chair of Judges for KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show

P-J Charteris

It is fair to say those attached to the wine industry, wherever you may find them, don’t just like what they do, they love what they do.

It consumes them and their passion is contagious.

P-J Charteris is one such character.

In a nation famous for great Rugby and equally as dominating wines, New Zealand-born Charteris chose the latter and at the age of just 13 would leave school each afternoon to work at a vineyard in his native Waikato for pocket money.

The rest as they say is history.

A move to South Australia would see P-J study at Roseworthy Agricultural College and then secure positions at renowned vineyards around the world, including North America and France.

In 2010 P-J became the Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, a tip of the cap to his 12 years of devotion to the acclaimed Brokenwood Wines. He has remained an influential wine figure ever since.

As well as running Charteris Wine Consulting from the Hunter Valley, P-J has never turned his back to his New Zealand roots and has created his own small label, Charteris Wines from Bannockburn in the Central Otago region of New Zealand.

2018 sees P-J add another string to his bow as he takes up the position as the new Chair of Judges of the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show which continues today until Thursday August 2 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

Sydney Royal Wine Committee Chair Sally Evans says P-J Charteris provides his own distinct style to the wine judging process;

“P-J truly represents the new guard in the world of wine judging and winemaking,” Sally Evans said.

“P-J is more than just an experienced technician. He is an innovative thinker, a strong leader and an inspiring communicator who will bring new skills and ideas into the Sydney Royal mix. He is a fantastic addition to our judging pedigree, following the considerable contributions of past Chairs Samantha Connew and Iain Riggs AM.

“P-J is the mark of a modern winemaker, with an eye to future trends while respecting the value of tradition,” Sally Evans said.

P-J Chateris says he relishes the opportunity to be part of the process of judging Australia’s best wines at the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show;

“The Australian Wine show system is at the forefront of driving quality and style on a local and global level for our winemakers. It is an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of some of our industry’s giants as the Chair of Judges at the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show,” he said.

“We have an impressive team of judges from a broad range of backgrounds which should ensure diversity of style throughout the results. With entries up this year we are looking forward to finding some of the finest wines Australia has to offer,” he said.

P-J Charteris is being supported during the four-day judging process by International Guest Judge Fongyee Walker MW, currently based in Beijing, China.

The public will also be able to be part of the experience with more than 2200 wines from the Sydney Royal Wine Show, including all award-winners, being put up for tasting at the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival on Saturday, August 11 at Sydney Showground.

Information about the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival including pre-purchased tickets can be found at;

www.rasnsw.com.au/events/GrapeGrainGraze

The Grape, Grain & Graze Festival is co-sponsored by the New South Wales Government’s Department of Primary Industries, Riedel and Wine Selectors.