briefs
HISTORY-MAKING AWARDS
THE 2019 Australian Women In Wine Awards (AWIWA) has made history, kicking off the inaugural USA Aussie Wine Month in New York.
Now in its fifth year, the awards were announced in New York and live streamed around the world with eight of the nine winners attending in person to receive their award.
Wine Australia chose the awards to launch its Far From Ordinary month-long campaign, the largest Australian wine promotion ever held in the US.
The significance of the AWIWA and its timing was not lost on Wine Australia CEO, Andreas Clark. “We believe that our diverse wine community is one of our greatest strengths that help make our wine Far From Ordinary, and we are delighted to sponsor the Honorary Australian Woman In Wine USA and the Viticulturist of the Year Awards.”
The 2019 AWIWA winners: Winemaker of the Year - Vanya Cullen, Cullen Wines. Researcher/Innovator of the Year - Inca Lee, Vinehealth Australia. Champion of Diversity and Equality - John Davis, Pepper Tree Wines.
Marketer of the Year: Imogen Hayes, Handpicked Wines. Cellar Door Person of the Year - Ulrika Larsson, Clairault Streicker. Viticulturist of the Year - Sheridan Alm, Starrs Reach Vineyard. Owner/Operator of the Year - Sarah McDougall, Lakes George Winery. Woman of Inspiration Awards - Angie Bradbury, Dig & Fish & Wine Victoria CEO. Honorary Australian Women In Wine Award USA - Christina Pickard.
SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION
IN the first of what is planned to be an annual event, the inaugural Wine Industry Mentor Program has been launched. It matches experienced wine communicators with a new generation of communicators hoping to make their mark in the Australian wine industry.
The program is conducted by the Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) and the Adelaide Business School of the University of Adelaide.
Over the next six months the 20 mentors and mentees will meet regularly with the aim of boosting both the mentees’ personal and professional development and advise on their careers.
“The calibre and number of applications received far surpassed our expectations,” said Lynda Schenk, WCA executive officer. “There is clearly a thirst to learn from the next generation of wine communicators.”
MILAN GIVEN LEGEND STATUS
ONE of Australia’s best-known food and wine writers, Lyndey Milan, has been awarded the 2019 NSW Legend of the Vine.
Outspoken and vivacious, Milan was recognised for her service to the food and wine industries in her role as a multi-award winning presenter, author, teacher and writer in a career spanning 30 years across television, radio and print. She also publishes her own website - www.lyndeymilan.com. The Legend of the Vine Award adds to a list of Milan’s considerable achievements and awards, including an OAM in 2014.
MOVIE MAGIC
ONE of McLaren Vale’s oldest wineries, Kay Brothers, was so excited to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its iconic Block 6 Shiraz, it made a film about it.
Kay Brothers commissioned local film maker David Parkinson to which covers the wine’s 2017 vintage from vineyard to bottle. The film features interviews with third-generation Kay family member Colin Kay and chief winemaker Duncan Kennedy.
