Last night saw the winners of the 2020 Australian Women in Wine Awards were announced via an online-only live broadcast.
The event, hosted by Merrick Watts, and AWIWA Founder and Chair, Jane Thomson, was broadcast live from the Langton’s TV studios in Sydney to the Australian Women in Wine Facebook page, where it was watched by wine industry folk across the country, and around the world.
Thomson said that while it had been a tough year for all, the calibre of the winners demonstrates an incredible breadth and depth of female talent in our industry.
“I’m so overjoyed that were able to keep the awards going this year, and that we could deliver an online event that brought the industry together in celebration.
“These awards continue to each year uncover even more amazing stories of achievement – and resilience – by women in the Australian wine industry. Congratulations to each and every one of them.”
The 2020 AWIWA winners are:
Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by Tonnellerie Saint Martin
- Cate Looney, Brown Family Wine Group, Vic
Champion of Diversity & Equality – sponsored by Australian Grape and Wine
- Helen Strachan, Pernod Ricard Winemakers, SA
Marketer of the Year – sponsored by denomination
- Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting, NSW
Cellar Door Person of the Year – sponsored by Langton’s
- Jess Greatwich, Krondorf Creek Farm, SA
Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia
- Catherine Kidman, Wynns Coonawarra, SA
Owner / Operator of the Year – sponsored by Bacchus Academy
- Melissa Brown, Gemtree Wines, SA
Woman of Inspiration Award
- Gill Gordon-Smith
Speaking about her win, Trish Barry told The Shout: “If there was ever a year when marketing was needed, 2020 has been that year. This award is very much testament to the great relationships we have with our Mastermind clients, and the trust that they place in us to continually tell their stories through a range of marketing initiatives.
“It’s been a challenging year for so many businesses, but focusing on the needs of the consumer, and introducing initiatives like Shiraz Day, has enabled us to deliver results with big impact.”
Helen Strachan, Legal & Corporate Affairs Director – Pernod Ricard Winemakers said: “I’m both honoured and humbled to be recognised as a champion of diversity and equality for the Australian wine industry.
“It’s critically important that the wine industry provides equal access to the same resources, opportunities and rewards for all, and I’m very proud to be an advocate of this.
“Thank you to the Australian Women in Wine Awards for this acknowledgement, and congratulations to my fellow finalist, Curly Haslam-Coates, who is equally committed to creating an industry that recognises everyone,” she said.
The AWIWA are owned and operated by The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society and 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.