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| Wine and Women – from Australia |
| By Ritu Singhal |
| The glass ceiling has been shattered and the wine sector is no exception – women today are excelling and this is being recognised. |
| Wine Australia presented the Australia Women in Wine Awards 2017 at the Australia House, London – the building that featured in this year’s blockbuster film Wonder Woman. |
| Jane Thomson of the Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society founded these awards to highlight their research that less than 10% of the Australian winemakers and viticulturalists were female – a number that was in decline. The idea was to identify role models and leaders to attract the next generation of women. |
| This was the first time since the awards were instituted in 2015 that the winners were announced at a glittering ceremony and outside of Australia. The 10am invite might have challenged, but considering the award ceremony was livestreamed across Australia many time zones away. |
| It turned out to be the “world’s largest gathering” of Australian female winemakers and female winery owners – 60 in one room – celebrating, as Chairman Brian Walsh said, “a flourish of women in wine” whilst showcasing the quality and diversity of Australian wine with around 300 wines to taste. |
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The contingent at AWIWA |
| Brian Walsh, Chair of Wine Australia, was present on the occasion. “The awards highlight the stellar contributions of women across the entire Australian wine community. We hope it has inspired more women to seek long term careers in the wine sector. We have to provide for a workplace culture that harnesses the talents, which will create a better and fairer global community”. |
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The Winners |
| Six of the nine winners accepted their award in person. Sue Hodder of Wynns (Woman of Inspiration), Jennifer Doyle of Jansz (Viticulturist), Ebony Tinkler of Usher Tinkler Wines (Marketer), Sarah Collingwood of Four Winds Vineyard (Owner/ Operator), Virginia Willcock of Vasse Felix (Winemaker) and UK wine writer Sarah Ahmed (Honorary Australian Woman in Wine). The others were Professor Eileen Scott of Adelaide University (Workplace Champion of Change), Jasmine Morgan of Caudo Vineyards (Cellar Door Person) and Christine Böttcher of CSIRO (Researcher). |
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Visitors at the tasting |
| At the tasting that followed, the Australian winemakers presented around 300 of their wines from 18 wine regions in the continent to the media and trade, including buyers, sommeliers and educators. If the objective was to entice more people to discover the diversity of contemporary Australian wine and enjoy fine Australian wine, it was surely achieved! |
| Some wines from the morning |
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Brothers in Arms “No. 6” Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Estate grown from the Metala vineyard. Vibrant magenta colour. Ripe berry and spices on the nose. Firm tannins on a structured palate. Very approachable. |
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De Bertoli “Single Estate D4” Yarra Valley Nebbiolo 2014
Medium garnet colour. Concentrated perfume of lead pencils and some spiciness with a hint of smoke. Fine, textured and grainy tannins. Evolving well. |
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Vasse Felix “Filius” Margaret River Chardonnay 2016
Pale yellow with a tinge of green. Very expressive nose of honey and pineapple with hints of ginger. A tight and complex palate with some creaminess and a long finish. |
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Viviana Ferrari Collection “Promenade” McLaren Vale Goulburn Valley Chardonnay 2016
A medium yellow colour. Peaches, oranges and a hint of apricot on the nose. Citrusy palate with integrated acidity and medium length. Versatile and fresh. |
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Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012
Dark purple colour with violet hue. Ripe black berries and intense black pepper dominate the nose. A palate that balances the luscious fruit and the firm tannins. Very enjoyable, today. |
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| An opportunity to meet so many women who matter in the Australian wine industry in London was accepted by Ritu Singhal. |
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