Open for SPONSORSHIP

Best Wine Communicator: Sales 

In recognition of an individual who excels in the art of wine sales, demonstrating exceptional skills in building relationships, delivering outstanding customer service, and effectively growing a wine portfolio.

A successful wine salesperson is more than just a conduit between product and customer—they are passionate ambassadors of the wine they represent, capable of educating clients, understanding their needs, and providing tailored recommendations. Whether in a retail environment, restaurant, wine bar, or as part of a distribution team, the winner of this award will have shown the ability to make wine approachable, accessible, and exciting to diverse customers.

Entry criteria:

  1. Open to an individual living and working in Australia whose professional role requires the active sales of wine. This includes but is not limited to wine brand sales representatives, distribution sales staff, retail sales staff, liquor retail shop owners, sommelier/bar/restaurant staff, and phone sales representatives.
  2. The entrant should obtain the permission of their manager to disclose details of the sales results as part of this submission.
    • Judges need to see proof of sales results in order to evaluate the entry, however some data can remain confidential when announcing the winner.
    • Brand names or specific volume or dollar values can be submitted on a confidential basis, if required. The degree of confidentiality required by the brand owner can be indicated in the entry.
    • Ideally, finalists and winners would be announced with their brand names and the percentage increase or above budget sales achieved.
  3. The entrant is encouraged to submit a video of them giving an overview of their product offering – i.e. their “sales pitch”.
  4. The entrant must be currently in a customer-facing sales role.
  5. The entrant must have been working in the wine industry at least 75% of the time during the past year between 1 July 2024 and 31 July 2025.

Entry Fee:

An entry fee of $55 inc GST applies to every award nomination submission for this category.

Judging Criteria:

The judges will consider the following with reference to each nomination:

  1. Product Knowledge – demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the wines they sell, including the varietals, provenance, winemaking methods and stories behind the wines. Judges will assess how well the entrant provides customers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.
  2. Customer Relationships – The winner will give examples to demonstrate how they have delivered exceptional customer service and built relationships based on trust. This may include tailoring recommendations and excellent after-sales support. The ability to convert a complaint into a satisfied and returning customer is a sign of a brilliant sales communicator.
  3. Sales Performance & Results – Strong results against objectives, including upselling, growing new accounts or increasing product penetration, or building long term customer loyalty will be relevant. As this data may be confidential to your business, it can be submitted with your confidentiality requirements indicated.
  4. Passion & Enthusiasm – a passion for wine and enthusiasm for sharing that passion with others to spark curiosity and excitement about wine with their customers.
  5. Adaptability & Problem-Solving – demonstrated adaptability in responding to changing customer needs, overcoming challenges, or recommending alternative wines. A great wine salesperson should be resourceful, able to handle objections, and provide solutions that satisfy both the customer and the business.
  6. A commitment to developing ongoing excellence in wine communication will be considered favourably. This includes membership to Wine Communicators of Australia.

Prize:

The winner will receive: one year’s membership to WCA valued at $190 (or 1 free renewal for an existing member), a category trophy, and exclusive WCA 2025 award-winner print and web graphics to use in personal marketing and communications.

ENTER NOW – Instructions

  1. Download the 2025 Awards Entry Form (Word format) HERE. Save it somewhere safe so you can complete later. Once complete, save as a PDF before returning to WCA.
  2. Click HERE to pay your entry fee. If you are entering multiple categories you can pay multiple fees at once.
  3. Email your Entry Form and all supporting materials, by the deadline of 15 August, including an image of the nominee and/or organisation to represent your entry, to admin@winecommunicators.com.au

By emailing us your images you acknowledge and accept that WCA has full permission to use this content for promotional purposes.

Please complete ALL STEPS in the Awards entry process, failure to do so may result in your entry not being considered.

Good luck!