The winners of the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards are…
The winners of the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards
The winners of the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards were announced today, Tuesday 26 September, at a ceremony at Australia House in London.
Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by WineArk
Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix
Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia
Jennifer Doyle, Jansz
Owner / Operator of the Year – sponsored by JancisRobinson.com
Sarah Collingwood, Four Winds Vineyard
Workplace Champion of Change – sponsored by Winemakers Federation of Australia
Professor Eileen Scott, Adelaide University
Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Platinum Bags
Jasmine Morgan, Caudo Vineyards
Researcher of the Year – sponsored by Inkwell Wines
Christine Böttcher, CSIRO – Agriculture & Food
Marketer of the Year – sponsored by Brown Brothers
Ebony Tinkler, Usher Tinkler Wines
Woman of Inspiration – sponsored by Irvine Wines
Sue Hodder, Wynns
Honorary Australian Woman in Wine – sponsored by Wine Australia UK
Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective
“This is a pivotal day in Australia’s proud wine history,” said AWIWA founder Jane Thomson, who hosted the ceremony. “Today we not only recognised the depth and breadth of female talent in our own wine community, we did so on a global stage and showed the world that Australia values and champions the many and varied roles of women in wine.”
AWIWA Board member and wine marketer Toni Carlino, who was also at the ceremony, said that today’s winners represent “the tip of the iceberg”.
“The winners announced today are just the tip of the iceberg of what our country has to offer the world of wine. It was a humbling experience to stand here in London amongst women who often have had to fight hard to be where they are today. I take my hat off to them and congratulate each and every one,” said Ms. Carlino.
Six of the nine award winners were present to accept their award in person with more than 60 Australian women in wine in attendance, along with invited key media and other special guests. Winners Jasmine Morgan, Eileen Scott and Christine Böttcher were unable to be in London, but each provided a pre-recorded video acceptance speech.
The awards were held in London as part of a partnership with Wine Australia, and opened a day of Women in Wine trade and consumer tasting events.Chair of Wine Australia, Brian Walsh said he hoped the awards provide inspiration to other women considering a career in wine.
“Wine Australia is proud and excited to be co-hosting the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards. We hope that the recognition of the stellar contributions of women in the research, growing, making, marketing and selling of Australian fine wine will provide an inspiration for women anywhere in the world to seek a long-term career in the sector.”
“Men have an even bigger role to play to ensure we provide an environment and workplace culture that nourishes and harnesses these obvious talents – creating a better and fairer global wine community,” continued Mr. Walsh.
The awards ceremony was streamed live to everyone back in Australia and around the world. More than a dozen official viewing events were registered in wine regions and cities across Australia, from Margaret River to Melbourne.
Sponsors
The Australian Women in Wine Awards would not be possible without the support of our individual award sponsors (as above) and partners – especially our Gold Partners: Wine Business Magazine, Pernod-Ricard Winemakers, Saint Martin & Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch.
