Georgie Jacobs from Tolpuddle Vineyard awarded Vaughn Dell Scholarship

The inaugural recipient of the $10,000 Vaughn Dell Scholarship has been announced as Georgie Jacobs, vineyard manager at Tolpuddle Vineyard in Hobart’s Coal River Valley.

Georgie moved to Tasmania a year ago having managed Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley, Victoria.

Supported by Vaughn’s wife, Linda Morice, and the Dell family, the scholarship was launched to build on Mr Dell’s legacy and continue elevating the Tasmanian wine offering.

Vaughn died in 2020 at just 39 years of age, having worked with Linda to establish Sinapius vineyard, at Pipers Brook, near Bridport.

Scholarship applications were invited from Tasmanian wine professionals to undertake study-based travel in 2026/27 on topics of relevance and benefit to both the individual and the broader wine sector.

Georgie will travel to the USA, where she will investigate practical adoption of regenerative practices in vineyards. 

She will focus on under-vine management, cool climate biological farming, increasing soil biology and fungal populations while addressing soil compaction and reducing reliance on herbicides.

Currently busy pruning at Tolpuddle, Georgie said she is excited to start planning the trip to the US which she will take mid-next year.

“I have a background in biological farming, leaning towards regenerative farming, and I’m interested in how what I learn on the tour can play into Tasmanian vineyards and here at Tolpuddle – which has been run in an organic fashion for a number of years,” she said.

“There’s some incredible wines being made in this state and it’s an exciting time to be involved.”

Linda Morice said:  “Georgie’s project captures so much of what Vaughn believed in.

“He was endlessly curious and never content to accept conventional thinking if there was a better way,” she said.

“He believed the best ideas came from asking questions, learning from others, and then generously sharing that knowledge with the wider wine community.”

“Georgie’s focus on exploring practical approaches to regenerative viticulture reflects that same spirit of innovation and continual learning.” 

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies welcomed the announcement of Georgie as the first recipient of the new annual scholarship.

“We were delighted to see the quality and number of applications for this new scholarship program, reflecting the enthusiasm of wine producers to keep learning, continuously improving, collaborating and sharing their knowledge for the benefit of all.”