Announced at the Westin Hotel, Sydney, last Friday, Ryan scooped the prestigious award for his winning two wines – 2008 Flying Fish Cabernet Merlot and 2008 Flying Fish Chardonnay.

A first time nominee, Ryan was nominated by the managing director of Flying Fish Cove winery Brett House, where he has worked as winemaker for the last two years.

“Ryan has been an exceptional contributor since joining the ‘Fish’. He has a great attitude and very good work ethic,” Mr House said.

“His talents as a winemaker have certainly been enhanced making wine alongside Damon Eastaugh and more recently Simon Ding. Flying Fish Cove has won significant accolades over the last few years, and I know that Ryan certainly is passionate about continuing that trend.

“I am very proud to have Ryan as a part of the Flying Fish team and know that he will be a very successful old winemaker as well.”

The Wine Society CEO Daryl MacGraw said: “This year we have been overwhelmed yet again by the high standard of award entries.

“It’s so refreshing to see such high quality wines being produced from such young winemakers and it gives us great hope in the future of Australian and New Zealand winemaking.”