The world's only awards program for women in wine is back for 2018

If you love a tipple, and enjoy seeing the rising success of Australian wine around the world, it may surprise you to learn that in 2018 the chances still are that you're drinking something made entirely by men. Women in Australian winemaking and viticulture roles are currently at less than 10% and - more worryingly - in decline.  The Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA) were started in 2015 to acknowledge 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 world's first and (still) the only awards program for women in wine.  

The 2018 Australian Women in Wine Awards open today, Tuesday 10^th July, and invite entries and nominations for the following award categories: 

·      Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by Tonnellerie Saint Martin

·      Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia

·      Researcher / Innovator of the Year – sponsored by Angove Family Wines

·      Marketer of the Year – sponsored by Denomination

·      Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Platinum Bags

·      Workplace Champion of Change – sponsored by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia

·      Owner / Operator – sponsored by WineWorks Australia

·      Woman of Inspiration – sponsored by Irvine Wines 

Member of the 2018 AWIWA Advisory Board and prominent wine journalist, Jeni Port, said that while the the Australian wine industry has enthusiastically embraced the Australian Women in Wine Awards there is still much work to do.

“While participation rates of women in the industry remain low - way below 50 per cent across the board - we have our work cut out. We are not complacent, and the industry shouldn’t be either.” 

“This year we need more women to step forward and enter the awards, be visible and be there for women coming through,” continued Ms. Port.

The Australian Women in Wine Awards – which are owned and operated by The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society and conducted with the assistance of an advisory board of industry leaders - works to 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. Previous winners include Prue Henschke (Viticulturist of the Year, 2016), Sue Hodder (Woman of Inspiration, 2017) and Virginia Willcock (Winemaker of the Year, 2017) 

The winners will be announced on Friday 16^th November at the first ever Australian Women in Wine Symposium and Awards Day at Quay Restaurant in Sydney. Registrations for this history making event also open today here.

The awards are entirely funded by sponsorship. This year’s Gold Partners include CRU, Vintrace, Pernod-Ricard Winemakers and Wine Business Magazine.   

Access a HI-RES image of six of the 2017 winners here From left to right Virginia Willcock, Sue Hodder, Jennifer Doyle, Ebony Tinkler, Sarah Ahmed, Sarah Collingwood

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