In Recognition of the contribution of Max Loder to the Australian Wine Industry.

The recent Ballarat Wine Show saw retired Viticulturist Max Loder honoured for his extensive contribution to the Australian Wine Industry with the awarding of the Max Loder trophy. The trophy has been presented by the Ballarat and District Vignerons Association for the last two years for the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Regional classes. This year the association decided to name the trophy in honour of Max’s extensive contribution to the industry.

Left to right: Max Loder, Ian Watson of Tomboy Hill Wines, and John Ellis representing the judges of the Ballarat Wine Show.

Arriving from post-war Europe in 1955 as a trained viticulturist, Max’s first job was as a jackeroo! In 1956 he commenced work for the CSIRO in Wagga Wagga and moved to Adelaide in 1957 as a Field Officer in the Department of Agriculture. His skills were quickly recognized when in 1959 he was appointed to a research position at the Research Station in Nuriootpa. He remained in this position for 15 years, acting as a consultant across South Australia and beyond.

In 1974, he was invited to become the first lecturer in Viticulture at the newly established Viticulture and Winemaking course at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. This was only the second school of its kind in Australia, and has produced some of the prominent names in Viticulture and winemaking in today’s wine industry.

Since his retirement 17 years ago, Max has lived in Ballarat where he has been actively involved in supporting some of the smaller vineyards of the region with his knowledge. One of Max’s passions is for the grape variety Pinot Gris. We understand that Max can claim some credit for influencing growers to try this variety, and therefore indirectly for its current popularity.

Peter Roche, President of the Ballarat District Vignerons Association, said “Max Loder has made a tremendous contribution to both the local wine industry, and more broadly, the Australian Wine Industry.

“To the public eye, the winemakers get all the glory, yet there is a truism in the industry that ‘great wines are made in the vineyard’. Max’s contribution, and educators like him, has been to improve Australian Viticulture, and ultimately Australian wines.”