By Jim Boyce

Judy Leissner, CEO of Grace Vineyard in Shanxi province, has been named 2012 Asian Wine Personality of the Year by publication The Drinks Business and, according to the publication’s web site, the Institute of Masters of Wine. The announcement was made during Vinexpo 2012 in Hong Kong.

This is the first year the drinks business and the IMW have created an award for an Asian wine personality, and it follows their award for Lifetime Achievement, which is announced at Vinexpo Bordeaux, with past recipients including Jean-Michel Cazes, Robert Mondavi and Piero Antinori.

Grace Vineyard has been regarded by many in China as the country’s best vineyard for years. While some operations have had a string of a few good years, or put out a few good wines, Grace has produced a portfolio of good wines for the past decade, first with wine maker Gerard Colin and now with Ken Hutchison.

Grace also ranks among the rare wineries in China that can offer value for money, starting with its entry-level wines at ~rmb60. Leissner has pushed the envelope over the years, from finding news ways to work with grape farmers to jointly making wine with Torres, which also distributors for Grace, to some wines under screw cap.

See the original Drinks Business story here.

Note: Leissner is a contributor to this blog.

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