Austrade press release: Wine Australia Awards welcome more participants

Deadline for prestigious Wine Australia Awards draws near

2008 North East Aisa winners of the Wine Australia Travel Scholarship in association with the WSET. Heuisuk Suh - South Korea winner, Jamie Sach - Penfolds winery, Ali Lockwood - Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, Liyan Tang - China winner, and Manin Yeom - Hong Kong winner

2008 North East Aisa winners of the Wine Australia Travel Scholarship in association with the WSET. Clover Hill vineyard manager, Heuisuk Suh - South Korea winner, Manin Yeom - Hong Kong winner, and Liyan Tang - China winner

2008 North East Aisa winners of the Wine Australia Travel Scholarship in association with the WSET. Manin Yeom - Hong Kong winner, Liyan Tang - China winner, Chester Osborne - winemaker/owner of d'Arenberg winery, and Heuisuk Suh - South Korea winner

Bell Tang from Beijing who won the 2008 Landmark Tutorial Scholarship, is pictured tasting wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

China based wine professionals only have until 31 December to apply for the inaugural Wine Australia Awards and a chance to win a fully funded, 10-day wine experience in Australia.

The prestigious awards are open to sommeliers, F&B staff, writers, educators, retailers, restaurateurs, importers and distributors currently working in mainland China who have demonstrated their commitment to promoting wine and Australian wine here.

“Response to date has been very strong but we are keen to give as many people as possible a chance to be considered for this outstanding opportunity,” said Wine Australia’s Regional Manager for China, Ms Ali Lockwood.

“We want to recognise our true ambassadors – people or businesses who have worked with passion and enthusiasm to promote wine to Chinese consumers.

“Their reward will be the chance to tour some of Australia’s key wine regions, to meet the people behind the famous brands and to try the wines where they are made.”

Four trips are available to the winners, who will travel in Australia together. Applicants may be Chinese or from overseas but must have a proficient understanding of written and spoken English.

The top prize is the Wine Australia Trophy, which will be awarded to a wine professional or business which has displayed an outstanding contribution to the growth of the wine category and of Australian wine in China, across any distribution channel.

The other three categories are the Restaurant Award (covering hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars), the Retail Award (retail, importing and distribution companies), and the Communicator Award (writers and wine educators).

Finalists will be selected and interviewed in January and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in Beijing on 26 January – Australia Day.

“This is a very exciting initiative and an important part of Wine Australia’s expanding commitment to the Chinese market,” Ms Lockwood said.

“The categories are broad and offer plenty of scope from wine professionals from a wide range of backgrounds to get involved.”

Further information and entry requirements can be found at www.wineaustraila.com/china or by emailing china@wineaustralia.com