For six years, the Wine Australia China Awards have recognised wine trade professionals who have made outstanding contributions to promoting and raising awareness of Australian wine in China.
The 6th annual Awards (held 12 November 2018) recognised importers, distributors, sommeliers, educators and media who have contributed to Australia’s powerful presence in the world’s fastest-growing wine market.
The 2018 ‘Australian Wine Made Our Way’ branded event was bigger and bolder than ever with the support of the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package).
The red-carpet gala dinner attracted more than 200 guests, including a record 70+ Chinese and international media, who gathered at the Bvlgari Hotel in Shanghai for a celebration of Australian wine.
Eight coveted honours were awarded at the gala ceremony, including:
Best Australian Wine List (sponsored by KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show): Jing An Shangri-La West Shanghai
This category recognised the best wine list from a restaurant, bar or hotel located in mainland China which:
- contained an excellent representation of Australian wines, and
- enabled the customer to select Australian wines of different variety and style, from different wine regions.
Best Australian Wine Promotional Campaign – on premise: Kerry Wines
This category recognised an outstanding Australian wine promotional campaign for a hotel, bar or restaurant that:
- demonstrated innovation, creativity and clever marketing, and
- attracted and engaged customers, enhancing their appreciation of Australian wine.
Best Australian Wine Promotional Campaign – online stores: ASC Fine Wines
This category recognised an outstanding Australian wine promotional campaign for an online store that:
- demonstrated innovation, creativity and clever marketing, and
- attracted and engaged customers, enhancing their appreciation of Australian wine.
Best Australian Wine Educator (sponsored by Barossa Wine School): Dorian Tang
This category recognised an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of Australian wine education and training, including:
- innovation and excellence in course design
- innovation and excellence in development and delivery, and
- support for students and their learning goals.
Best Feature Story on Australian Wine – consumer media: CEO WORLD
This category recognised outstanding writing in a published (consumer media) article which was:
- entertaining
- thought-provoking, and
- provided the reader with new or original insights into the world of Australian wine.
Best Feature Story on Australian Wine – trade media: Wine Missionary by Terry Xu
This category recognised outstanding writing in a published (trade media) article which was:
- entertaining
- thought-provoking, and
- provided the reader with new or original insights into the world of Australian wine.
Online Wine Communicator Award (sponsored by McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Wine Tourism Association): Karla Wang (Lady Penguin)
This category recognised outstanding work by an online wine communicator with an interest in Australian wine using social media, website, or video content that demonstrated:
- innovation
- a contemporary focus, and
- a clever use of multiple communication tools.
Online Food & Wine Communicator of the Year (sponsored by Tourism Australia): Eva Xie
This category recognised outstanding work by an online food and wine communicator with an interest in Australian wine using social media, website, or video content that demonstrated:
- innovation
- a contemporary focus, and
- a clever use of multiple communication tools.
Award judges
Trade awards
Chair of judges - Stella Cai, Senior Business Development Manager in Australian Trade and Investment Commission Shanghai office
- Charles Guo, Founder of Wine Master
- Silvia Hu, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sommelier Press
- Maxime Lu, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WineOnline.cn
- Eva Xie, food and wine critic
- Sunny Zhang, Founder of Pinor Sommelier and Co-Founder of China Sommelier Academy
- Zhu Siwei, Co-Founder and Editor-in-chief of TasteSpirit
Media Awards
Chair of judges - Lu Yang MS, Founder of Grapea &Co
- Peter Dixon, Managing Director – Asia, Middle East, Africa and Global Travel Retail of Treasury Wine Estates
- Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard China
- Bel Sun Hunyadi, Regional Sales Manager of China for Negociants International
- Simon Wang, Chief Operating Officer of ASC Fine Wines
Educator award
- Andrew Caillard MW, co-founder of Langton’s Classifications
- Demei Li, Associate professor in Beijing University of Agriculture, renowned winemaker
Media releases
13 Nov 2018 - Winners of 6th Annual Wine Australia China Awards celebrated
8 Nov 2018 - Celebrating strong wine export growth at China Awards and ProWine China
Contact
For more information about the Wine Australia China Awards 2018, please email Emma Zhao emma.zhao@wineaustralia.com