Designed to celebrate the finest certified organic drops in Australia, the 2020 Awards received over 120 entries from a range of renowned and boutique certified organic and biodynamic winemakers, with entrants across multiple states and categories.

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.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and to get involved in the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021, please contact Shari Burke via email or by calling 07 3350 5716.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021 Judges

Alex McPherson

Group Beverage Director, STK Group

  • Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 Judge
  • Len Evans Scholar 2003
  • Wine Judge
  • WSET
  • Beverage Director
  • Sommelier.

Josh Martin

Freelance Wine Writer & Judge

  • Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 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.

Mike Bennie

Wine & Drinks Writer, Presenter & Wine Judge

  • Co-Founder/Partner – P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants
  • Writer – Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
  • Wine/Drinks Editor – delicious.
  • Editor-at-Large and contributor/writer – WineFront.com.au
  • Wine writer – Voyeur Virgin Airlines Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald, Wine Business Magazine, Men’s Style magazine
  • Len Evans Tutorial Graduate
  • Co-Founder – Drink Easy Awards

Ramon Arnavas

Sommelier, Wine Judge

  • Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 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.

Lilly Heenan

Head Sommelier, Agnes, Brisbane

  • Brisbane-based sommelier
  • Head Sommelier of Agnes since inception in August 2020
  • Curates wine lists that are thoughtful, fun and reflect the devotion to wine growing and making
  • Previously worked for smaller, community-centre wine retailers and bars
  • Excitement and curiosity are the driving forces of career
  • Spends spare time drinking weighty, deeply-hued glasses of rosé somewhere in the sunshine

Millie Gosney

Head Sommelier, Biànca, Brisbane

  • Certified wine drinker and a consummate professional regarding such activities
  • Once a wine slinger at Cru Bar and Cellar
  • Solotel Sommelier (Aria and Barangaroo House, mainly Bea)
  • Head Sommelier of Arc Dining
  • Once a wine rep for Addley Clark Fine Wines
  • Currently the sommelier at Bianca restaurant (awarded three glasses this year)
  • Passionate about and specialises in Italian wine and alike

Congratulations to the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021!

Australian Organic Limited is delighted to announce the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021.

Ngeringa Single Vineyard Iluma Syrah 2019 has been awarded the Cullen Trophy Wine of Show at the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021.

The full list of winners can be found here.

The Wine Awards winners were announced online via the Australian Organic YouTube channel, hosted by Chief Judge Mike Bennie.

Pour a glass of your favourite organic wine and celebrate the winners of the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021 via the link below.

Watch Now

Judging Criteria

All wines will be tasted in a temperature-controlled, private venue in Brisbane. The wines will be 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 six wine entries
  • Applications are open to certification bodies ACO, AUS-QUAL, 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 six certified wines, including any varietals and vintage
  • No tank samples accepted
  • Applications close 5 November 2021
  • Samples received after 26 November 2021 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

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Major Partner

Glassware Partner

Major Prize Winner Partner

Venue Partner

Storage Partner

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and to get involved in the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021, please contact Shari Burke via email or by calling 07 3350 5716.