Taras Ochota, the late Adelaide Hills winemaker of Ochota Barrels wine, honoured with new uni scholarship

It’s been 18 months since the wine world mourned the loss of SA’s “rock star winemaker”. Now, he is being honoured in a way that aims to inspire a new generation.

The University of Adelaide has launched a scholarship in honour of the late Adelaide Hills “rock star” winemaker, Taras Ochota.

The Taras Ochota Scholarship will be available for those studying viticulture, oenology or related programs at the university, where the celebrated Basket Range winemaker studied wine.

It comes 18 months after Ochota’s death at the age of 49 after a long battle with illness. “To be able to celebrate the legacy of Taras Ochota, one of our alumni, through the announcement of this fund is a special moment for us,” said the university’s deputy vice-chancellor of external engagement, Jessica Gallagher.

“It will be the first scholarship fund named after one of our winemakers.”

Ochota’s label, Ochota Barrels, gained him fans around the world, including some of the world’s biggest rock stars.

Ochota collaborated with Tool frontman Maynard Keenan on a grenache, and even welcomed The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger to his family home.

He remained humble, and was as much loved for his warmth and hospitality as he was for his deft winemaking skills.

Wine writer and Ochota’s close friend, Nick Ryan, said Ochota “made the wine world reconsider Australian wine”.

“At a time when Australian wine had come to be known internationally as prestigious, big, bombastic and overblown, Taras’s wines were elegant, beautifully poised and immediately drinkable,” said Ryan, who met the late winemaker on their first day of high school in 1984.

“In years to come, when people write about the history of Australian wine, when it comes to my generation, Taras is who they will look to.

“His death was a huge loss, and not just to his family and friends: the world lost a beautiful human being. But his memory will be with us now for many years to come through the scholarship fund and the legacy of his outstanding and celebrated skills as a winemaker.”

To donate to the fund, visit https://give.adelaide.edu.au/taras-ochota