I hope this doesn't get dumped as many Aussies will know of Len as the man who promoted Aussie wine like no other.

******

Len Evans OBE

Wine godfather Evans dies

The man known as the godfather of the Australian wine industry, Len Evans, has died of a heart attack in Newcastle.

It is believed Mr Evans died in his car at the John Hunter Hospital carpark about midday AEST.

He was just two weeks shy of his 76th birthday.

Mr Evans had been involved in the Hunter Valley wine industry for more than four decades and had a major role in changing the drinking pattens of many Australians from beer to wine.

Tributes

Close friend and fellow winemaker Brian McGuigan says Mr Evans will be remembered for his role in boosting the profile of Australian wines - both domestically and internationally.

"He was an international authority on wine and he was a leading show judge, but his understanding and his feel for wine was quite incredible," Mr McGuigan said.

"We'll all certainly miss him."

Wine writer and judge Huon Hooke says Mr Evans was a one-off and made a huge contribution to Australia's wine industry.

"He had a huge enthusiasm and if there's one thing I think he'll be remembered for it is for being such an enthusiast and for living life 200 per cent," Mr Hooke said.

"We were all amazed in some way that Len lived as long as he did - he lived life to the absolute maximum, he was a real party boy."

The chief executive of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, Sam Tolley, says Mr Evans was a pioneer in marketing Australian wine domestically and to the world.

"His enthusiasm rubbed off on many other people who then entered the wine business or were encouraged to really seek the best they could of Australian wine, and I think that's a real legacy that we have from Len," Mr Tolley said.

R.I.P.

Edited August 17, 200619 yr by udon

A what a who man?

Len Evans was a great guy, as well as being a wine king.

I met him first in the late seventies, at his restaurant in Bulletin Place in Sydney. Lots of long, long, lunches, with great wine and wonderful talk.

Interestingly, he came to Australia first from Wales as a golf pro.

R.I.P.