Philip Leslie Laffer

Philip Laffer was born in Adelaide in 1940.

His father, Leonard (Len), was one of the first graduates of Agricultural Science at Flinders University and worked on wine research with John Fornachon, then lectured at Roseworthy Agricultural College with Alan Hickinbothan until 1944. Later he became chairman of Basedows.  Received ROCA Award of Merit in 1976.

Philip's grand-father, Henry Edward Laffer, graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1900.

Philip studied at Roseworthy from 1958, completing a Diploma of Agriculture in 1961 and Oenology in 1963. 

He worked on vintages at Glenloth Winery in 1959 and 1960. He joined Lindemans at Corowa in 1963 as assistant winemaker to Ray Kidd. [1]  He went on to represent the company across a number of roles, including technical director, head of marketing/sales and executive director. [2]

From 1990-2012 he worked at Orlando Wyndham (later Pernod-Ricard Pacific and Premium Wine Brands) and from 2013, Laffer has continued in the industry as a winemaking and viticulture consultant across Australia, China and Argentina.  Paul Evans, Winemakers'Federation of Australia Chief Executive, said Laffer had spent his entire life promoting the nation’s wine industry, and the industry was richer for his involvement. [3]

Phil Laffer has served on the WFA board, including as vice president, as well as president and vice president of the South Australian Wine Industry Association. Other senior advisory roles include with the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (Wine Australia’s predecessor), the Australian Wine and Research Institute, the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, the CRC for Viticulture and the NSW Wine Industry Association. [4]

Awards presented to Laffer have included:

• 2014 First life member of the Australian Wine Industry (Winemakers' Federation of Australia)
• 2014 Membership of the Order of Australia;
• 2013 Life Membership of Wine Communicators Australia;
• 2010 Maurice O’Shea Award;
• 2005 Life membership of SA Wine Industry Association;
• 2004 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering;
• 2003 Roseworthy Old Collegians Association Award of Merit; and
• 2002 Qantas/Gourmet Traveller Winemakers of the Year. [5]

References

1. State Library of South Australia - https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/1018 - Accessed 29 January 2021

2. Wine Titles Media - https://winetitles.com.au/philip-laffer-is-the-first-australian-wine-industry-life-member/ - Accessed 29 January 2021

3. ibid

4. ibid

5. ibid