Born Charles Henry Morris on July 1, 1928, the man affectionately known as ‘Mick’ died on Friday, August 21, a fourth-generation visionary with no peer; he was 98.
Mr Morris made his mark on the Australian wine industry in 1954 with the world’s first commercial release of the Durif varietal, elevating the north east wine region onto the global map.
Since that moment he forged a legacy steeped in Australian fortifieds and Rutherglen’s now signature Durif, with his flavour-forward wines and scientific approach redefining the industry in the region.
Prominent winemaker Chris Pfeiffer said Mick was a “kind, good fella” who left behind a lasting legacy of world class wines and fortifieds.
“It’s a sad day for the wine community, who lose one of their leading lights,” Chris said.
“Mick made great contributions to Rutherglen through his wines and his involvement in the North East Victorian Wine Association; his wines were well known around the world.
“And he was pretty humble about it all, to boot.
“He told me, ‘you should always look for something nice in a wine’; and he did, he always had something nice to say about wine.”
Not just a winemaker, but also a sportsman, Mick was the last man standing from Howlong Football Club’s 1954 premiership winning team.
His family name is synonymous with football, with father Charles Henry Snr first donating the award in 1933, starting a tradition that has lasted for decades alongside the wine region’s deep ties to regional sport.
Mick played lawn bowls for Howlong until 96, and after serving more than 40 years on the Howlong Country Golf Club committee he was awarded life membership and No. 1 ticketholder status.
The club’s first bowling green is named in his honour.
Mick is survived by his children, David and Peter, and grandchildren Ebony and Madden.
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