The Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 have been designed to celebrate the finest drops from Australia’s best certified organic and biodynamic winemakers.

Australian Organic Limited CEO Niki Ford said the peak body is delighted to be hosting the Awards in what has been a tough year for winemakers; a fantastic way to raise the profile of high-quality organic wine and boost the industry (read more here).

The Awards provide the opportunity for certified organic winemakers to showcase their varietals in a time where many wine events have been cancelled or postponed.

Judging was completed in January 2021 at Brisbane’s iconic City Winery. The winner will receive a Cullen Wines trophy, case of Cullen wines, Riedel decanter and special feature article in Gourmet Traveller WINE, as well as promotion through digital media. Second and third winner will receive a Riedel decanter.

Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 Judges

Ramon Arnavas (Panel Chair Judge):

  • Panel Chair Judge RASQ Toowoomba Wine Show and Mediterranean Challenge 2019
  • Judge RASQ Toowoomba Wine Show and Mediterranean Challenge 2016 and 2018
  • Judge Royal Queensland Wine Show 2017, 2018 and 2019
  • Len Evans Tutorial Scholar 2016
  • Lorenzo Galli Scholarship National DUX 2016
  • Ruinart Sommelier challenge finalist 2016
  • Recipient of the ‘Sommeliers Australia’ Scholarship in 2010.

Josh Martin (Associate Judge):

  • Judge Australia’s Wine List of The Year 2020 and 2019
  • Judge Wineslingers Top 50 Bars in Australia 2019
  • Associate Judge Australian Organics Wine Show 2017
  • Winner New Wine Writer of Year: Wine Communicators of Australia 2016
  • Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Broadsheet.

Ken Gargett (Judge):

  • Currently the Managing Editor of “Fine Wine & Champagne, Australia/NZ” and contributor to other magazines in the Fine Wine stable, Explore Drinks, the UK World of Fine Wine; the Quill and Pad website on spirits, champagnes and wines; www.tastingbook.com; Gourmet Traveller WINE; the Fine Group; Crema (formerly Café); Drinks Magazine; Ocean Magazine.
  • Written or contributed to numerous books including ‘Don’t Buy Wine Without Me, 2008′, ‘Discover Australia – Wineries’, and ‘The Global Encyclopedia of Wine’
  • Len Evans Tutorial Scholar 2005
  • Chevalier of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne 2003
  • Vin de Champagne Award winner 1993.

Alex McPherson (Judge)

  • Len Evans Scholar 2003
  • Wine Judge
  • WSET
  • Beverage Director
  • Sommelier.

Congratulations to the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020!

Australian Organic Limited is delighted to announce the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020.

Wine of Show and Gold Medal winners include:

  • Stefano Lubiana Wines, Cullen Trophy Wine of Show, Best White of Show and Gold Medal
  • Foxeys Hangout, Best Red of Show, and Gold Medal
  • Angove Family Winemakers, Gold Medal
  • Robinvale Wines, Gold Medal

The full list of winners can be found here.

The winner announcement was hosted by AOL CEO Niki Ford and Associate Judge Josh Martin, who also presented the trophy wines as they would have been served and discussed at the celebration dinner.

Grab a glass of your favourite organic wine and celebrate the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 via the link below.

Watch Now

Judging Criteria

All wines were tasted in a temperature-controlled, private venue in Brisbane. The wines were judged blind, in the below categories:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet blends
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Grenache & grenache blends
  • Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier
  • Pinot Gris
  • Sparkling
  • Rosé
  • Riesling and Aromatic Whites
  • Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc Blends
  • Semillon, Semillon Blends
  • Shiraz
  • Shiraz Blends
  • Mediterranean Varietals
  • Mataro, Mataro  Blends and Zinfandel

The 100-point score scale indicates the average score given by the tasting panel.

Entry Terms & Conditions

  • Australian Organic Limited members may enter free of charge via the member portal
  • Non-member fee is $165 including GST for up to five wine entries
  • Applications are open to certification bodies ACO, AUSQUAL, BDRI, NCO, and OFC
  • SXC clients must obtain written approval from SXC CEO
  • All wines to be commercially labelled and available in Australia at the time of entry
  • Proof of certification must be presented if required
  • Applications and payment will only be accepted via the provided online links and forms
  • Applicants must send wine to provided address and include 3 x cork or 2 x screw cap per entry
  • Applicants may submit up to five certified wines, including any varietals and vintage
  • No tank samples accepted
  • Applications close 18 December 2020
  • Samples received after 31 December 2020 will be RTS
  • Winners will be required to supply a high resolution image of themselves and/or product to be used for Australian Organic Wine Awards announcements
  • Winners will be announced in the April edition of Gourmet Traveller WINE

Major Partner

Glassware Partner

Major Prize Winner Partner

Venue Partner

Storage Partner

Online Retail Partner

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and to get involved in the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020, please contact Shari Burke via email or by calling 07 3350 5716.