Who said wine need only be associated with burly men aged circa your Dad? It’s time the perception of wine was shaken up a little and lost some of that haughtiness.

Well if anyone’s going to make it happen, it’s Rory Kent, founder of The Young Gun of Wine Award. Now in its fifth year the mission still remains the same; to dust off that somewhat icky image associated with it and celebrate those who are emerging, young, progressive and making their mark in the wine space.

Raise a glass and support some of our nation’s up and comers by immersing yourself in events being held, part of the eight day ‘Young Guns of Wine Festival’.

With events like ‘3 x 3’ at Izakaya Den, ‘Cool Climate Coda’, ‘Tacos & Vinos’ at an undisclosed location (Twitter follow @v_know and @tacotruckmelb for up-to-the-minute deets) and ‘Cutting the Contemporary Edge’ at Cumulus Inc. you’re sure to meet and sample some of tomorrow’s best wine and meet their makers.

Take advantage of the democratic society we live in and cast your vote for The People’s Choice Award, determined at ‘The People’s Session’, a free expo at Prince Wine Store on 20 August. Here, the 11 finalists will be pouring two of their finest wines alongside Mexican nosh courtesy of the famed mobile Taco Truck.

A far cry from misspent youth.

Young Guns of Wine Festival
15 – 22 August 2011 (winner announced 22 August)

Melbourne – various venues