Col Campbell, chief winemaker at Campbells Wines, said he was honoured to be presented with the Wine Communicators of Australia award in Melbourne on Friday. “It’s pretty special,” he said.

“I haven’t done all (these achievements) alone — I see it as a team effort.”

The award recognises a member of the wine industry who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the wine business and industry at large.

Wine Communicators of Australia chairwoman Angie Bradbury said the award was created to acknowledge the passion, drive and leadership, particularly in communication, of a highly regarded individual in the Australian wine industry.

“Mr Campbell has been as a tireless leader, contributor and advocate for the Australian wine industry during his long and continuing career,” she said.

Mr Campbell has been instrumental in ensuring Australia’s place on the fortified world stage by leading the charge to secure funding for research, marketing and promotion of the Australian fortified wine industry.

The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia board member’s lifelong passion has been to see Rutherglen muscat recognised worldwide as the unique wine of Australia. He led the formation of the Muscat of Rutherglen network and still chairs the group.

The group was charged with researching and developing new names for Australia’s fortified wines.