Rachael Hughes, Shadow Wine Bar 2021 Winner

In her time at Shadow Wine Bar, Rachael Hughes has shaped one of WA’s best and broadest lists. Her work is underpinned by a finger on the pulse that’s helped a legion broaden their horizons. A proper sommelier with a disarming persona, Hughes has turned Shadow into a place where bottles from artisan, local producers are found alongside avant-garde wines of Slovenia, Hungary and Japan and touchstones from established regions. While Hughes’ career may be shifting, this award celebrates a body of work, a tenancy in shaping a scene and of her being a totem for the next generation. An overdue recognition.