Wine-maker of the Year, Neil McGuigan, grows grapes in Hunter Valley. It's in Australia and is the first place north of Sydney that's for fertile soil. The climate is extreme with hotter weather bringing the harvest earlier, but with the added stress of large storms putting the crop at risk. The main problem is still ensuring that the grapes get enough of water - and water management is an important part of vitriculture.

Neil McGuigan started work in his family's winery when he was very small - aged 5. He was small enough to clean out the huge 750 gallon barrels though the doors on the front. Whilst this sort of help wouldn't be allowed today it's probably what inspired Neil to stay in the wine business. He's been rewarded with several prestigious awards including 'Best White Winemaker in the world' at the International Wine Challenge last year, followed by 'Winemaker of the Year' at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

He truley believes in Australian wines being what made wine more accessible to people. The sheer flavours and intensitys allowed the grape to be identified from a taste for instance the buttery richness of the chardonnay grape was easily spotted.

Neil McGuigan realised that there was a demand for a lighter type of wine and developed wines with a fresh fruity more floral aroma. His developements in creating exciting new tastes in wine are worth of tasting!

Neil McGuigan's wines are available at Tesco Wines by the case. They sell two cases of mixed wines £36.00 per case for the first and the premium case is £72.00.