Awards recognise Australian wine sector and on-premise trade

Over the last month, Wine Australia has proudly supported two Australian-based wine awards that recognise the commitment of the Australian wine sector to, and the on-premise trade’s support for, fine Australian wine; the Halliday Wine Companion Awards and the Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Wine List of the Year Awards. 

The 2017 Halliday Wine Companion Awards took place on Wednesday 3 August and celebrated the best of the Australian wines, winemakers, and wineries from across our 65 wine regions that were identified in the latest Halliday Wine Companion. 

From more than 1300 wineries that were profiled, the Winery of the Year award – supported by Wine Australia – was awarded to Mount Pleasant Wines of the Hunter Valley. 

Wine Australia Chair Brian Walsh said, ‘Wine Australia was proud to support the Winery of the Year award, and its recognition of the outstanding commitment of our grape and wine community to producing fine Australian wines that express the diversity and quality of our unique terroirs and regions. 

‘Mount Pleasant has a long and proud history of producing fine wines that showcase and celebrate the regionality of the Hunter Valley. Congratulations to Mount Pleasant, the McWilliam’s family, Jim Chatto and the team at McWilliam’s Wine Group for this recognition of their sustained and revitalised contribution.’ 

The Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Wine List of the Year Awards – held on Monday 25 July – recognised local sommeliers and restaurateurs who celebrate the diversity and quality of Australian food and wine in their restaurants. 

Wine Australia supported the Best Listing of Australian Wine, awarded to Altitude in New South Wales. 

Wine Australia General Manager, Marketing Stuart Barclay congratulated Altitude and Executive Sommelier, John MacKinnon and said, ‘the award recognises Altitude’s long-standing commitment to showcasing the quality, regionality and diversity of Australian wine through its highly acclaimed wine list.’ 

This year, the introduction of new awards recognised the Best Listing of Wines from New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Wine Australia sponsored these new awards, which were awarded to Biota Dining [Best Listing of New South Wales Wines], Royal Mail [Victoria], The Grill at the Stirling Hotel [South Australia], Stillwater [Tasmania] and Frasers [Western Australia] 

‘These new categories epitomise the uniqueness of Australian terroir and regions, where exciting wine lists can be created to connect the diner to the region, the land or even the local community,’ said Mr Barclay. 

Wine Australia congratulates all of the winners from the 2017 Halliday Awards and the Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Wine List of the Year Awards.