Austria’s Bacchus Prize 2006 to Arne Ronold MW

November 6, 2006 - Since 1971, the Austrian Wine Growers Association has been awarding the Bacchus Prize to people who have performed outstanding services to Austrian wine. This year, the Bacchus Prize 2006 was awarded to Arne Ronold MW at a ceremony held on November 6th at the OldUniversity of Graz in Austria. Also given the prize was Franz Fischler, the former EU Commissioner for Agriculture. Following a long-practiced custom, the prize winners bestowed a name on a young wine prior to its official St. Martin’s Day blessing.

Recipients of the Bacchus Prize 2006

: f.l.t.r. Josef Pleil, Arne Ronold MW, Franz Fischler, Michael Thurner, © AWMB

Arne Ronold MW - a Norwegian who loves Austrian wine
Before the Norwegian journalist Arne Ronold MW dedicated himself fully to his hobby - wine - he worked on theoretical physics, especially nuclear physics and mathematical flow models. Today, as Scandinavia’s first Master of Wine, Mr. Ronold writes passionately for the magazine Vinforum, which he founded together with Ola Dybvik in 1986. Mr. Ronold introduced Austrian wine to Norwegians, and helped many Austrian winemakers on the path to success in Norway. In Michael Thurner’s tribute, Mr. Ronold’s love for Schilcher, a speciality from the Austrian wine region of Styria (Steiermark), was given special mention.

Dr. Franz Fischler – With agricultural roots
Dr. Franz Fischler, born in Absam, in Austria’s Tyrol, played an important role in the Austrian wine economy through his function as EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. Even after completing his studies at the University for Soil Culture in Vienna, he became highly involved – first in the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, and then as Austria’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry - in the national and international development of Austria’s wine growing sector. The laudatory speech for Dr. Fischler was held by Josef Pleil, president of the Austrian Viniculture Association.