The awards - the first of their kind in Australia - will offer four categories to be judged by an Advisory Board made up of some of the industry’s leading female talent, including Jane Thomson - Founder and Managing Director of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society; Samantha Connew - Winemaker and owner of Stargazer Wines and Compass Wine Consulting; Jeni Port - Wine Writer and current Wine Communicator of the Year 2014; Corrina Wright - CEO and Winemaker at Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards; Toni Carlino - Wine Marketing Consultant; and Jenny Houghton – Viticulturist and owner of Maygars Hill Vineyard.
The entry deadline for the Australian Women in Wine Awards is Tuesday October 6, 2015 with winners to be announced Tuesday November 17.
“For decades we’ve been wishing and hoping to see a significant rise in gender diversity in the Australian wine industry,” said Thomson. “Unfortunately, wishing alone hasn’t worked. Current estimates put female participation at around 8 – 10 per cent, and some areas - like viticulture - are actually in decline. The Australian wine industry needs positive female role models and leaders. With these awards we hope to highlight a few more of them.”
The Award Categories for 2015 will be:
- Winemaker of the Year
- Viticulturist of the Year
- Owner / Operator of the Year
- Workplace Champion of Change
The regional nature of the wine industry has also led the organisers to initiate a “virtual awards night” in order to maximise the number of women who can be involved in this history making occasion.
Interested applicants are encouraged to enter the awards online through womeninwineawards.com.au
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