Accolade Wines has announced the retirement of industry veteran Paul Lapsley as its Global Wine Director.
Lapsley first joined the company with Houghton in 1987 before rising through the ranks to become Group Red Winemaker in 2004 and then 20th Chief Winemaker for Hardys in 2007.
He assumed responsibility for all winemaking operations across the business as Group Chief Winemaker before being appointed Global Wine Director in 2016.
“An industry veteran with almost 40 years of winemaking experience, Paul commands enormous respect for his vision, ambition and pure skill that has come to be expressed in some of our most prestigious and successful wines and wine brands,” said Anton van Heerden, Accolade Wines Director, Supply Chain and Operations.
“Paul can be immensely proud of his role as flagbearer for the historic Hardys brand, as well as his undiminished passion for excellent quality wine that leaves behind a formidable legacy. We wish him a long and well-earned retirement.”
Highlights of Lapsley’s career include:
• Winning 29 gold medals in a single year at the 2009 Hobart Wine Show;
• Kick-starting the Houghton premium red program that culminated in the inaugural release of iconic Jack Mann in 1994;
• Overseeing the 2014 Hardy 165th Anniversary Cabernet Shiraz, Accolade’s first ever 99-pointed wine.
Lapsley’s final day with Accolade will be November 30, 2019, but van Heerden said Accolade was delighted he had agreed to extend his association with the business after his retirement, allowing Accolade to continue to tap into his vast experience and knowledge.
Lapsley said that while he was sad to be departing the company, he would look back fondly on an incredible career in which he was fortunate enough to work with industry leading viticulture and winemaking teams as well as world class mentors.
“Pushing the boundaries and creating wines of great character and quality have continued to be a passion for me, whether following the great blending tradition of the world famous Hardys brand or introducing the premium Jack Mann range at Houghton, and I am grateful for Accolade’s support for these endeavours,” he said.
“I have made many friends through the company over the years and will miss working with a group of dedicated and driven people who are truly passionate about our portfolio.”
TWE’s Peter Dixon heads to Accolade Wines
It’s been a big week for Accolade, with Treasury Wine Estates’ Asia and Global Travel Retail MD Peter Dixon announcing he is moving to the company.
Dixon has been with TWE since 2008 and assumed his current role in early 2017, following his predecessor Robert Foye being appointed global COO. Foye left the company last month following a breach of the company’s internal code of conduct policies.
Dixon will be replaced by Tom King, who moved to Shanghai last year to become chief operating officer of TWE’s Asian operations. King was previously managing director of TWE’s European operations.
“Peter Dixon has decided to depart the company to pursue other career opportunities and the company thanks Peter for his contribution,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “The fundamentals of the TWE business in Asia remain unchanged, the Company has a strong leadership team in place, and remains committed to its growth plans with its partners”.
Dixon noted on WeChat: “Many people have already heard that I will be leaving TWE shortly. I just want to personally thank all the amazing partners I’ve worked with over the past 10 years in Asia and specifically all the support from the China partners in the last five years.
“I am excited by the opportunities to be in a humble new business with amazing quality wines, which I hope everyone has the opportunity to try shortly! Also a huge thanks to my amazing team at TWE for all they have done and I wish everyone good fortune for the future.”