The 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards are fast approaching!

Applications open on Monday 1 May 2023 for the latest version of our Awards, designed to showcase Australia’s highest quality certified organic and biodynamic wines while raising the profile of our growing industry. There was a record number of entries for our most recent Awards, with 238 bottles submitted by 53 organic and biodynamic wine producers from across Australia.

Further details and application links will be available on this page as of 1 May. The Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship is currently open for applications; the Scholarship is AOL’s initiative to help foster the next generation of female ambassadors for the organic wine industry. Applications close on 14 April 2023, with more information available here.

If you have any questions about the 2023 Awards program, please contact Shari Wilding via email or by calling 07 3350 5716. 

 

Awards Timeline

Wine Scholarship applications open: Friday, 3 March 2023
Wine Scholarship applications close: Friday, 14 April 2023
Wine applications open: Monday, 1 May 2023
Applications close: Friday, 9 June 2023
Winners announced: September 2023

 

Australian Organic Wine Awards 2023 Judges

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.

Alex McPherson

Group Beverage Director, STK Group

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

Olivia Evans

Sommelier, Wine Professional

  • Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship 2021 recipient
  • Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, Fleet Restaurant, Brunswick Heads
  • Contributing Writer, Paradiso Magazine
  • Working With Wine Fellowship – National Finalist (2019)
  • Court of Master Sommelier Certified
  • Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine – Nominated Young Sommelier Of The Year (2017)
  • New Zealand Wine Grower’s ‘Sommit’ Scholarship (2017)
  • Central Otago E’Sensual Attendee – New Zealand (2017)

The recipient of the 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship will also join the judging panel to provide their input.

Judging Criteria

All wines will be tasted in a temperature-controlled, private venue in Brisbane. The wines will be judged blind in a range of specific categories, which are dependent on the wines that are submitted. Please see the 2021 Award categories below for reference.

  • 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

  • For certified operators licensed to the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS), the entry fee is $50 including GST for up to six wine entries.
  • For those not certified to the ACOS, the entry fee is $250 including GST for up to six wine entries.
  • Applications are open to certification bodies ACO, AUS-QUAL, SXC, BDRI, NCO, and OFC.
  • All wines to be commercially labelled and available in Australia at the time of entry. A minimum quantity of 25 cases of submitted wines must be available for sale at the time of the announcement to maximise the commercial opportunity.
  • 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 3 bottles of each entered wine to provided address (3x corked or 3x screw cap). Wines to be sent to AOL Offices in Nundah.
  • Applicants may submit up to six certified wines, including any varietals and vintage.
  • No tank samples accepted.
  • Applications open on Monday 1 May 2023 and close at COB on Friday 9 June 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.
  • Samples received after 9 June 2023 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.

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 Wine of Show – Cullen Wines Trophy 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

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Wine of Show - Cullen Wines Trophy

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