Gil Wahlquist

Gil Wahlquist (1927–2012) was an Australian journalist and "pioneer organic wine producer" who was largely responsible for re-establishing the Mudgee wine industry and raising the international profile of the Australian wine industry in the 1970s.

Early life and career Gil Wahlquist was born Eric Gilbert Wahlquist in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds, Victoria, on 11 April 1927. His parents were Eric Wahlquist, a theatre manager, and his wife, Ellen (nee Limbrick). On 13 May 1950 he married Vincie Porter.

In 1958 he took up a position with Sydney's TV Times where he would work for ten years. In those years he developed an interest in sailing, built a number of boats, and helped found the Australian Sabot Sailing Association. and also launched the Botobolar Bugle, which would become "Australia’s longest-running winery newsletter".

In 1974 the grapes were ready for harvesting but, finding the selling price was very low, he decided to make his own wine. In so doing he produced preservative-free wine. establishing the Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association, Mudgee Small Farms Field Days, Mudgee Wine Show and Mudgee Wine Week and setting up Australia-wide associations for small winemakers and sustainable agriculture.

Wahlquist strongly advocated the introduction of an Australian appelation contrôlée system under which "labels would certify that the wines were grown with grapes grown in the Mudgee area" and would lead to "stringent methods of production and marketing" with the final outcome being in the "development of a distinctive regional wine style in Australia".

Grapes had been grown in the Mudgee area by three German families, including that of Adam Roth, as early as 1858. Grape growing reached a peak with 55 vineyards in the locality in 1893, which was followed by an industry decline during the hard times of 1890s. Following Wahlquist's arrival and innovations from 1971, large and small vineyards started planting vines in Mudgee once again and the district's industry prospered.

In 2008 Barry Buffier of the New South Wales Government's Industry & Investment NSW stated: "Mr Wahlquist is almost single-handedly responsible for establishing the Mudgee wine industry, and training the next generation of wine industry employees. He persuaded Mudgee wine and food producers to work together for the recognition of their region as a premium food producer, and the region's viticulture industry is now worth an estimated $45 million annually." Mr Buffier thanked Wahlquist for raising "Australia's profile in the international wine industry", the Hunters Hill Probus Club, and the Hunters Hill Museum, and "worked tirelessly" Janet, and Nancy, all of whom survived him. One of his grandchildren, Calla Wahlquist, is a journalist with The Guardian.

Award and honours 2001: Centenary Medal - for service to the community