The board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA) is thrilled to announce the 2020 finalists in the 6th annual AWIWA – the world’s only awards program for women in wine.
In a year like no other, founding AWIWA Advisory Board member and highly lauded wine journalist, Jeni Port said it was extremely satisfying to see that there has been a particularly strong collection of entries this year. With some new names and amazing tales of resilience.
“I think this is something that brings this year’s awards into their own. We asked entrants to tell us about their year, including the challenges, and they all rose to the occasion,” said Ms. Port. “What’s more, their businesses often thrived. And they learnt so much more about themselves and their abilities. It’s been wonderful to read their stories.”
All categories have three finalists being announced today, except in the case of the Champion of Diversity and Equality, in which the judges have selected just two.
The finalists in each award category are (in alphabetical order by surname):
Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Langton’s
- Jess Greatwich – Krondorf Creek Farm (SA)
- Paris Hokin – Arlewood Estate (WA)
- Samantha Mitchell – First Drop Wines (SA)
Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by Tonnellerie Saint Martin
- Natalie Cleghorn – Yalumba & Hill-Smith Family Vineyards (SA)
- Natalie Fryar – Bellebonne Wine Company (Tas)
- Cate Looney – Brown Family Wine Group (Vic)
Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia
- Brooke Howell – Yalumba Family Winemakers (SA)
- Catherine Kidman – Wynns Coonawarra (SA)
- Alexandra Miller – Voyager Estate (WA)
Champion of Diversity & Equality – sponsored by Australian Grape & Wine
- Curly Haslam-Coates – Vintage Tasmania (Tas)
- Helen Strachan – Pernod Ricard Winemakers (SA)
Owner/Operator of the Year – sponsored by Bacchus Academy
- Melissa Brown – Gemtree Wines (SA)
- Laura Carter – Unico Zelo (SA)
- Lisa Margan – Margan Estate (NSW)
Marketer of the Year – sponsored by denomination
- Trish Barry – Mastermind Consulting (NSW)
- Emily Hay – Barossa Grape & Wine Association (SA)
- Kristen Zerk – Z Wine (SA)
The seventh award category, Woman of Inspiration, is a judges’ choice award determined by the AWIWA Advisory Board. No entry is required, and the winner will be announced on the awards night of Tuesday 24 November.
AWIWA 20120 Awards Ceremony
7:30pm AEDST Tuesday 24 November – online
The winners of each award category will be announced at the 2020 AWIWA ceremony which – as has been done every year since its inception in 2015 – will be live streamed across the world. This year the awards is 100% virtual and the live stream will take place via the Australian Women in Wine Facebook page, broadcast in partnership with Langton’s TV from their Sydney studio. Get ready to get your glamour on and be part of the best and most fun wine awards show of the year!
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. Watch parties can be registered here on the AWIWA website to demonstrate your support.
About the AWIWA
The Australian Women in Wine Awards – which are owned and operated by The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society – celebrate and reward the work of women in the Australian wine community, and community leaders who champion equality and fairness for all sexes in the workplace. They are the only awards program for women in wine in the world. The 2020 AWIWA board members are Jeni Port, Toni Carlino, Corrina Wright, Shirley Fraser, Sarah Collingwood, Alexia Roberts and Jane Thomson (Chair). The 2020 AWIWA Platinum Partner is Portavin. Gold Partners are Pernod-Ricard Winemakers, Langton’s, Wine Business Magazine and Hydra Consulting.
Pictured Left to Right: Jane Thomson, Angie Bradbury and Rebecca Hopkins at the 2019 AWIWA in New York
