2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards announce finalists

The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society together with the Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA) Advisory Board have announced the finalists for the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards.

“One of the things we’re most proud of here at The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society, are the Australian Women in Wine Awards – which we started in 2015 and have run for the last three years with the assistance of a wonderful advisory board of wine industry legends,” Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society notes.

Jane Thomson, founder and managing director of The Fabulous Ladies Wine Society said she's very excited about this year's finalists. 

“There are eight awards on offer this year, up from six last year and double the number it started with in 2015. A record number of entries were received in every category," she said.

“One of the great challenges with these awards is that so often women are reticent to talk themselves up. Too often we hear ‘but I’m just doing my job’ when in fact what they’re doing is extraordinary! This year, the number and quality of entries was incredible and all our judges were really stretched. And we absolutely loved every minute of it!” 

Corrina Wright, AWIWA Advisory board member and CEO/ winemaker of Oliver’s Taranga said she was proud that these awards are able to shine the light on such an amazing group of women.

“Judging was incredibly difficult,” Wright noted on the website. “There is just so much talent across the width and breadth of Australia’s wine regions, so many women really pushing the boundaries and achieving world class results.”

AWIWA has partnered with Wine Australia for this year's awards, with winners announced at an event at Australia House in London on September 26. 

“This is an exciting development for the Australian Women in Wine Awards,” said Thomson. “Showcasing our women in wine on such an important international stage is not only good for the advancement of gender equality, it’s good for the entire Australian wine community.”

The 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards finalists in each award category are:

Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by WineArk

• Jo Marsh and Alex Phillips, Billy Button Wines
• Shavaughn Wells, Saltram Wines
• Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix

Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia

• Brooke Howell, Yalumba
• Jennifer Doyle, Jansz
• Melissa Brown, Gemtree Wines

Owner / Operator of the Year – sponsored by JancisRobinson.com

• Cassandra MacDonald, eBev
• Emma Raidis, Raidis Estate
• Sarah Collingwood, Four Winds Vineyard

Workplace Champion of Change  – sponsored by Winemakers Federation of Australia

• Carissa Major, Claymore Wines
• Professor Eileen Scott, Adelaide University
• Kendall Clements-Virag, Pernod-Ricard

Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Platinum Bags

 • Janine Carter, Voyager Estate
• Jasmine Morgan, Caudo Vineyards
• Sharyn Stagg, Josef Chromy Wines

Researcher of the Year – sponsored by Inkwell Wines

 • Christine Böttcher, CSIRO – Agriculture & Food
• Dr. Kerry Wilkinson & Dr. Renata Ristic, Adelaide University
• Patricia Williamson, AWRI

Marketer of the Year – sponsored by Brown Brothers

• Ebony Tinkler, Usher Tinkler Wines

• Imogen Hayes, Handpicked Wines
• Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting

Woman of Inspiration Award – sponsored by Irvine Wines

This is a judges choice award. No entry was required and it will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Also presented at the awards ceremony will be an additional award for an Honorary Australian Woman in Wine for a woman working in the UK wine trade. This award is determined by Wine Australia in conjunction with the AWIWA advisory board.

The 2017 awards were judged by panels made up of AWIWA Advisory board members as well as previous winners.
The ceremony on September 26 will form part of a huge women in wine tasting event for trade and consumers and 60 Australian women in wine are flying over to take part.

The award ceremony will be streamed via a live internet broadcast at this event on Tuesday, September 26, at 10am UK time which is 7am Australian EST.

Each wine region and city is being encouraged to host their own gathering to celebrate the announcement, and can register their event online via the awards website here.