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Australian Women in Wine Awards 2019: meet the finalists

By Thursday 15 August 2019No Comments

The board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards has announced the 2019 finalists in the world’s only awards program for women in wine.

“The depth and breadth of talent we had enter the awards this year made it exceptionally difficult for our judges,” said Jane Thomson, AWIWA founder and chair.

“And it just goes to show that after five years of operation, we are continuing to attract the very best female talent in the Australian wine community! Theirs are exceptional stories that deserve to be told and celebrated.”

All categories have three finalists being announced today, except in the case of the Champion of Diversity and Equality, which the judges felt required four.

WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine is a Gold Partner of the awards.

The finalists…

Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by Tonnellerie Saint Martin
Nat Cleghorn, Yalumba
Vanya Cullen, Cullen Wines
Jo Marsh, Billy Button Wines

Researcher/Innovator of the Year – sponsored by Angove Family Winemakers
Joanna Gambetta, Charles Sturt University
Inca Lee, Vinehealth Australia
Mango Parker, The Australian Wine Research Institute

Champion of Diversity & Equality – sponsored by Australian Grape and Wine
Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting
Carolyn Coon & Kristy Keyte, Treasury Wine Estates
John Davis, Pepper Tree Wines
Pernod Ricard Winemakers – Better Balance Ambassadors

Marketer of the Year – sponsored by denomination
Elizabeth Calabria-Staltare, Calabria Family Wines
Imogen Hayes, Handpicked Wines
Rebecca Love, Howard Park Wines

Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Purple Giraffe
Lauren Hutton, Bethany Wines
Ulrika Larsson, Clairault Streicker
Jodhi Thoms, Elderton Wines

Viticuturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia
Sheridan Alm, Starrs Reach Vineyard
Brooke Howell, Yalumba Family Winemakers
Amanda Mader, Vine Scout

Owner/Operator of the Year – sponsored by WineWorks Australia
Laura Carter, Unico Zelo
Belinda Chambers, Lake Moodemere Estate
Sarah McDougall, Lake George Winery

The eighth award category, Woman of Inspiration Award – sponsored by Irvine Wines – is a judges’ choice award determined by the AWIWA Advisory Board. No entry is required, and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

The 2019 awards were judged by panels made up of AWIWA Advisory board members as well as previous winners.

In addition to this year’s eight award categories, Wine Australia will be sponsoring the Honorary Australian Woman in Wine Award – USA, with a bursary prize to explore Victorian wine regions proudly supported by the Victorian Government. This accolade will be awarded to a woman who lives and works in the USA and has made a positive impact in the US wine industry promoting Australian Wine.

This award honours the AWIWA 2019 ceremony’s host country, the USA, and ties in with the largest wine promotion ever held in the USA – Far From Ordinary.

AWIWA 2019 Awards Ceremony

8pm Tuesday 17 September in New York – which is the morning of 18 September in Australia.

The winners of each award category will be announced at the 2019 AWIWA ceremony in New York on the evening of 17 September (morning of 18 September, Australian time) in partnership with Wine Australia.

The ceremony, which is an invitation-only event featuring over 35 Australian female wine producers in attendance as well as local trade, media and other special guests, will be live streamed back to Australia and around the world.

The live stream will take place via the Australian Women in Wine Facebook page. As in previous years, each wine region and wine business is being encouraged to host their own watch party to cheer on all the finalists and winners. Please register your ceremony ‘Watch Party’ on the AWIWA website.

More information on the Australian Women in Wine Awards can be found at www.WomeninWineAwards.com.au.

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