07/08/2026
I’ve read the news several times, and it’s still hard to believe.
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Matthew Jukes was a huge inspiration to me throughout my career as a sommelier. He encouraged me to trust my own palate, champion more Australian wines, and at the same time remain open-minded and curious about every wine that found its way into the glass.
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Whenever I had the chance, I enjoyed introducing him to a little piece of Austria—like this bottle of 1997 Grüner Veltliner.
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To test his Jukes Cordialities he picked a handful of restaurants to trial. I was so honoured when he chose Dinner by Heston while I was in charge.
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Just two weeks ago, I told him about my next project. I can’t remember his exact words, but they were something like:
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“You’re the perfect person to do this. Good on you. If anyone can make it happen, you can.”
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Those words meant more than he probably ever knew.
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Rest in peace, Matthew. Thank you for your generosity, your encouragement, and for inspiring so many of us in the world of wine.
