DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY, 17 MARCH 2025 — Stephen Henschke has been named the recipient of the 2025 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Winemakers’ Winemaker Award. The award was presented in association with the drinks business at a reception during ProWein by Patrick Schmitt MW, drinks business editor-in-chief, and Rod Smith MW, IMW chair.
The award recognises outstanding achievement in the field of winemaking over the past 12 months. The winner is chosen each year by Master of Wine winemakers and previous winners of the award.
Stephen Henschke is the fifth-generation winemaker at Henschke, one of Australia’s most celebrated wineries. Taking over in 1979 from his father, Cyril Henschke, Stephen introduced innovative winemaking techniques while preserving the traditions of his ancestors.
After earning a science degree at Adelaide University, he gained experience in the Hunter Valley and Germany, working alongside his wife, Prue. In the early 1980s, they established Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard to enhance fruit quality across the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills.
Stephen has received multiple accolades, including Gourmet Traveller WINE’s Winemaker of the Year (2006) and International Wine Challenge’s Joint Red Winemaker of the Year (1994/95). In 2011, Henschke was inducted into the Family Business Australia (SA) Hall of Fame. Today, he and Prue, with their three children, continue Henschke’s legacy of producing exceptional wines from historic vineyards.
On receiving the award, Stephen remarked: “I am delighted and honoured to be recognised by the Institute of Masters of Wine, and included in the company of outstanding winemaker winners, such as last year’s winner Michael Brajkovich MW.”
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor of the drinks business, said: “It’s a great pleasure to shine a spotlight on a winemaker as knowledgeable, humble, and talented as Stephen. With the support of his viticulturist wife, Prue, Stephen has spent decades perfecting wines from some of the world’s most important and historic vineyards — making him a richly deserving recipient of this prestigious award."
Rod Smith MW, IMW chair, added: "It is an honour to present this award to Stephen Henschke, a true custodian of Australia’s fine wine heritage and a pioneer in shaping its future. Together with the viticultural expertise of his wife, Prue, Stephen has built a remarkable legacy."
Stephen was unable to accept the award in person due to working an early harvest and was represented by his son, sixth generation winemaker and viticulturalist Johann Henschke.
Since its debut in 2011, some of the world’s most respected winemakers have been presented with the accolade:
2011 – Peter Sisseck
2012 – Peter Gago
2013 – Paul Draper
2014 – Anne-Claude Leflaive
2015 – Egon Muller
2016 – Alvaro Palacios
2017 – Eben Sadie
2018 – Jean-Claude Berrouet
2019 – Angelo Gaja
2022 – Jean-Louis Chave
2024 – Michael Brajkovich MW
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 425 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 346 students from 43 countries in the 2024-25 MW study programme. The IMW works with 37 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group.
