Wine Communicator Awards

The annual WCA Wine Communicator Awards recognise outstanding contribution to, and excellence in, wine communication in all its forms.

In each category, a short list of finalists is reviewed and selected by the panel of expert judges. A winner is then chosen in consultation with the WCA Board. The overall Wine Communicator of the Year is then awarded from the category winners. Previous winners have included Andrea Frost, Barossa Grape & Wine Association, Gill Gordon-Smith, Jeni Port, Judy Sarris, Katie Spain, Max Allen, Oliver’s Taranga, Trish Barry and Tyson Stelzer.

The 2023 Wine Communicator Award entries have closed. Winners were announced at the Awards Night on Tuesday 14th November in Sydney. Find out more

Judging Panel

A panel of industry experts are carefully selected each year for the Wine Communicator Award. In 2023 we are fortunate to have the following people involved in the nominations review process and selection of finalists:

BEST NEW WINE BOOK AND BEST SERIAL WINE PUBLICATION

  • Katherine Candy, National Wine Specialist – Pernod Ricard Winemakers
  • Peter Forrestal, Independent Writing and Editing Professional
  • Paul Henry, Strategy Director – Winehero

BEST WINE BLOG OR PODCAST AND BEST WINE WEBSITE OR APP         

  • Angus Hughson, Founder and Publisher – WinePilot
  • Lynda Schenk, Director – Purple Giraffe
  • Nicholas Williams, Cellar Door & Operations Manager – Hungerford Hill

BEST WINE STUDENT AND BEST WINE EDUCATOR          

  • Andrew Caillard, Master of Wine, Author and Wine Industry Consultant
  • Gill Gordon-Smith, Wine Education Consultant
  • Tony Robinson, Business Development Manager – AWRI

BEST WINE COMMUNICATOR – CELLAR DOOR AND BEST WINE THEMED EVENT

  • Alix Hardy, Marketing & Communications Manager – Oliver’s Taranga
  • Georgina McCalpin, Wine Club Manager – Briar Ridge Wine
  • Robin Shaw, Founder & lead Consultant – Wine Tourism Australia

BEST WINE MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AND BEST FEATURED ARTICLE OR WINE COLUMN        

  • Stephanie Airlie, Agency Director – House of Airlie PR
  • Hannah Bentley, Senior Communications Manager – Wine Australia
  • Sally Evans, Council Member – Royal Agricultural Society of NSW
  • Liz Mencel, WA Wines to the World, Program Mgr – Hydra Consulting
Special Thanks to our Award Partners
Testimonials

“It’s an exciting year for Australian wine with a handful of great new books either already out or in the works. Hopefully this helps the rest of the world see the true level that Australia is working at.”

“There’s never been a more exciting time to drink Australian wine…and it is perhaps the most exciting country in the world to be drinking from right now.”

Jane Lopes & Jonathan Ross, 2023 Wine Communicator of the Year

“We are thrilled to have our incredible cellar door team recognised for the fabulous work that they do at the forefront of wine communication, face-to-face with the guests that visit our cellar door and many like ours all around the Australia, day in day out. The wine, region and people stories they share at the cellar door and the experience they provide stays in the hearts and minds of our guests long after they leave the venue. Congratulations to our team and to all cellar door staff around the country telling stories and sharing wine.”

Oliver's Taranga Cellar Door Host Team, 2022 Wine Communicator of the Year

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for everyone so to be named Wine Communicator of the Year during a global pandemic was humbling and just the non-Covid-related booster I needed. Honestly, I’m still pinching myself.

To be recognised for telling heartfelt stories made it all worthwhile. The award made the fire in this writer’s belly (and fingertips) burn stronger. Thank you. 

Katie Spain, 2021 Wine Communicator of the Year

2020 certainly was a year where digital lead communication came to the forefront to connect with our audiences, so in what will go down as a memorable year for all it was an absolute honour to be named WCA Communicator of the Year along with Digital Wine Communicator. WCA has been such a critical part of my wine community for nearly two decades now, so it was even more sentimental to be recognised in this forum for the work that we do for our Mastermind Clients to tell their amazing stories and the involvement we have with the broader community. Thank you for such an honour. 

Trish Barry, 2020 Wine Communicator of the Year

“Accepting WCA Wine Communicator of the Year on behalf of the Barossa wine community was an incredible honour. This award and the prestigious company in which we now belong, is a great source of pride for BGWA and Barossa’s wine community as a whole. It is a fantastic acknowledgement of the spirit and power of collaboration and Barossa as a region.”

Barossa Grape & Wine Association, 2019 Wine Communicator of the Year

As well as being a personal honour, it was a huge vote of confidence in good old-fashioned print media storytelling. In a world increasingly dominated by short-attention-span digital content, it’s gratifying to know that readers still value longer-form journalism about the issues and the history and the people that make the world of wine so endlessly fascinating.

Max Allen, 2018 Wine Communicator of the Year

The WCA Award has given me a louder voice in the wine world and the chance to get out there, to tell the stories that make Australian wine so special, not only in Australia but internationally. As a woman in the wine industry this opportunity is an important one. I am honoured to be involved in selecting the next winners and encourage everyone to apply.

Gill Gordon-Smith, 2017 Wine Communicator of the Year

“We have always been full of admiration for the WCA initiatives to improve and encourage excellence in all forms of communication about wine.

The team at GT WINE is absolutely thrilled and amazed to have won Wine Communicator of the Year 2016. We are very honoured to share this prestigious accolade with all the talented people who contribute to both the print and digital versions of the magazine.”

Judy Sarris, Gourmet Traveller WINE, 2016 Wine Communicator of the Year

“Wine Communications Australia is a unifying force in the diverse and dynamic world of wine communication, a significant and vital link that facilitates collaboration, accountability and excellence.”

Tyson Stelzer, 2015 Wine Communicator of the Year

“The list of previous winners is impressive for the quality and breadth of wine knowledge on display, and their ability to communicate to a wide audience. Joining them was a great personal honour. The award is highly sought after.”

Jeni Port, 2014 Wine Communicator of the Year
Past Wine Communicator Award Winners

Since its inception in 2013 the annual Wine Communicators Award series has acted as an industry benchmark and a coveted prize for all in the wine industry. Congratulations to all the past winners, as listed below. 

  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Jane Lopes & Jonathan Ross
  • Best Wine Marketing Communications Campaign – Liquid Luxury by Stanton & Killeen
  • Best Wine Blog or Podcast – Wine with Meg + Mel Podcast
  • Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column – Tom Kline
  • Best Serial Wine Publication – The Quinta Quarterly by Stanton & Killeen
  • Best New Wine Book – How to drink Australian by Jane Lopes & Jonathan Ross
  • Best Wine-themed Event – Pinot Noir Celebration Australia 2023
  • Best Wine Communicator – Cellar Door – Jodhi Thoms, Elderton Wines
  • Best Wine Educator – Robin Shaw, Wine Tourism Australia
  • Best Wine Student – Cassidy Shaw, The University of Adelaide
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Oliver’s Taranga Cellar Door Host Team
  • Best Wine Marketing Communications Campaign – Barossa Australia – The Barossa It’s Just Us Campaign
  • Best Wine Blog or Podcast – Wine with Meg + Mel Podcast
  • Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column – Lisa Cardelli
  • Best New Wine Book – The Wine Producers: A Taste of Barossa and A Taste of McLaren Vale published by BudMedia and written by Katie Spain
  • Best Wine Website or App – Margaret River Wine Guide by Margaret River Wine Association
  • Best Wine-themed Event – Margaret River Fine Fines Festival
  • Best Wine Communicator – Cellar Door – Oliver’s Taranga Cellar Door Host Team
  • Best Wine Educator – Cynthia Genus, Yalumba Wines
  • Best Wine Student – Karlee Cook, The University of Adelaide
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Katie Spain, Wine Writer
  • Best Wine Marketing Communications Campaign – Taylors Wines’ mission to save the seahorses / Blend Public Relations & Common Venture
  • Best Wine Blog or Podcast – James Atkinson, Drink Adventures 
  • Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column – Katie Spain 
  • Best Wine Serial Publication – Wine Business Solutions for The Wine Paper
  • Best New Wine Book – Soul Publishing for ‘Wine, Beer & Spirits of the Fleurieu’ by Rojina McDonald
  • Best Wine Website or App – Wine Australia for Australian Wine CONNECT 
  • Best Wine-themed Event – Henschke and Hutton Vale Farm for Vino Camino
  • Best Wine Communicator – Cellar Door – Rebecca Barr, Fernfield Wines
  • Best Wine Educator – Dr Rebecca Dolan, The University of Adelaide
  • Best Wine Student – Ruchira Ranaweera, The University of Adelaide
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting
  • Best Wine Public Relations Campaign (individual or team) – Taylor Made Wines and Blend PR
  • Best Wine Publication (technical or trade) – Recognition of Excellence – Grapegrower & Winemaker Magazine
  • Best Wine Publication (consumer) – Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Best Wine Book (consumer) – Intoxicating- Ten Drinks that Shaped Australia by Max Allen
  • Best Wine Website or App – Australian Wine Discovered
  • Best Digital Wine Communicator – Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting
  • Best Featured Articles or Wine Columns – Max Allen 
  • Best Wine Student – Haylee Butler, The University of Adelaide
  • Best Wine Educator – TAFE SA Wine and Spirits School 
  • Best New Wine Writer – Zachary Phillips
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Barossa Grape & Wine Association
  • Best Wine Public Relations Campaign (individual or team) – Barossa Grape & Wine Association
  • Best Wine Publication (technical or trade) – Wine & Viticulture Journal
  • Best Wine Publication (consumer) – Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Best Wine Book (consumer) – The Highly Improbable Audacious Adventures of Wirra Wirra 1894 -2019
  • Best Wine Website/App – Barossa Grape & Wine Association
  • Best Digital Wine Communicator – Jane Thomson, The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society
  • Best Featured Article or Wine Column – Nick Ryan
  • Best Wine Student – Emily Palmer, The University of Adelaide
  • Best Wine Educator – Armando Maria Corsi
  • Best New Wine Writer – The Four Seasons by Stuart Smith
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Max Allen
  • Best Wine Public Relations Campaign (individual or team) – Taylors Wines
  • Best Wine Publication (technical or trade) – Wine Australia RD&E News
  • Best Wine Publication (consumer) – Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Best Wine Book (consumer) – Hunter Wine: A history – Julie McIntyre & John Germov
  • Best Wine Website/App – eBev
  • Best Digital Wine Communicator – Dan Sims – REVEL Global
  • Best Featured Article or Wine Column – Max Allen
  • Best Wine Educator – Kerry Wilkinson – The University of Adelaide
  • Best New Wine Writer – Kirsty Petrides -The Greek Sparkling You Need to Know About
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Gill Gordon-Smith
  • Best Wine Public Relations Campaign (individual or team)  – Pernod Ricard Brand Communications Team : St Hugo Cellar Door
  • Best Wine Publication (technical or trade) – Elizabeth Bouzoudis : Grape Grower & Winemaker Magazine
  • Best Wine Publication (consumer) – Judy Sarris : Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Best Wine Book (consumer) – Patrick Iland : Australian Wine style and taste* people and places
  • Best Wine Website/App – Justine Henschke : Henschke Wines
  • Best Digital Wine Communicator – Ali Laslett : Winemakers Federation of Australia
  • Best Featured Article or Wine Column – Morgan Dunn
  • Best Wine Educator – Gill Gordon-Smith
  • Best New Wine Writer – Pippa Merrett : The Art of Wine Writing
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Judy Sarris
  • Digital Wine Communicator of the Year – Jane Thomson
  • Best New Wine Writer Award – Josh Martin
  • Best Published Feature Articles or Wine Column – Ben Canaider
  • Best Wine Educator Award – Jenny Polack
  • Best Wine Publication of the Year (trade, technical or consumer) – Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Best Wine Book (trade, technical and consumer) – Tipsy
  • Best Wine Website or Wine App – Gourmet Traveller WINE
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Tyson Stelzer
  • Digital Wine Communicator of the Year – Tyson Stelzer
  • Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine New Wine Writer Award – Tony Anisimoff
  • Best Wine Publication (trade or consumer) – Alquimie
  • Best Wine Book – Vintage Tasmania, by Tony Walker
  • Best Wine Website or App – Gourmet Traveller WINE (digital)
  • Best Trade or Technical Wine Writer – Richard Smart
  • Best Published Feature Articles or Wine Column – Max Allen
  • Best Wine Educator – Wine101x (University of Adelaide)
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Jeni Port
  • Digital Communicator of the Year – Cake Wines
  • Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine New Wine Writer Award – Charley May
  • Best Wine Publication (trade or consumer) – James Halliday’s Wine Companion Magazine
  • Best Wine Book – The Champagne Guide 2014-15 by Tyson Stelzer
  • Best Wine Website or App – Vinomofo
  • Best Trade or Technical Wine Writer – Cathy Howard
  • Best Single Feature Article or Wine Column – Last of his Generation, Jeni Port
  • Wine Communicator of the Year – Andrea Frost
  • Digital Communicator of the Year – Jane Thomson, Fabulous Ladies Wine Society
  • Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine New Wine Writer Award – Greg Plowes
  • Best Wine Publication (trade or consumer) – Through a Sparkling Glass: An A-Z of the Wonderland of Wine, by Andrea Frost
  • Best Wine Website or App – McWilliam’s Wine Group
  • Best Trade or Technical Wine Writer – Tyson Stelzer
  • Best Single Feature Article or Wine Column – Dulcie’s Vineyard, Campbell Mattinson