there, De Bortoli decided to make a botrytis affected wine of his own. At that time (1982) there was a surplus of Semillon grapes, a thin skinned, tight bunched varietal particularly susceptible to extensive, uniform botrytis infection. The resulting wine went on to win numerous awards including Best Botrytis Wine at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 1984. History De Bortoli Wines was established in 1928 by Vittorio & Giuseppina De Bortoli and rapidly expanded under the direction of their son, Deen De Bortoli]. The family history is documented in a book called Celebrazione! launched in 2003 to celebrate De Bortoli Wines' 75th Anniversary. Deen De Bortoli (born 1936) was the chairman of De Bortoli Wines Pty Limited. He was born in 1936, and at age 15 he left school to help Vittorio and Giuseppina, his parents run the family business. He married Emeri De Bortoli in 1958, and lived in Bilbul, New South Wales, his whole life. They had four children who all work for the company today. Deen also featured in the 2002 episode of the ABC's Dynasties television series titled The De Bortolis of Griffith. Darren De Bortoli (born 1960) is currently the managing director of De Bortoli Wines Pty Limited. He was born in 1960 and then studied winemaking at Roseworthy College in South Australia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Oenology, in 1982. Darren is well known for his Botrytis Semillon, Noble One. At the age of 33, Darren was appointed Managing Director. He was also featured in the 2002 episode of the ABC's Dynasties television series titled "The De Bortolis of Griffith" which tracked the growth over three generations of the family business from Italian immigrants into one of Australia's largest family wine companies. Darren's daughter Leanne manages the Yarra and King Valley wineries with her husband Stephen Webber. Webber is also the Chief Winemaker, for the Yarra Valley Winery of the De Bortoli family business, established in 1928. He was awarded 'Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE' in 2007. Achievements The Graham Gregory Award for Services to the NSW Wine Industry, in 1995. The Inaugural Golden Plate Award for his contribution to the wine industry in the Riverina. The Jimmy Watson Award for 1996 Yarra Valley Golf Station Reserve Shiraz, in 1997. Past President of the MIA Winemakers Association. Australian Wine Research Institute board member Chairman