By Andy Young
The Fabulous Ladies' Wine Society has launched the Australian Women in Wine Awards, which aim to acknowledge and reward the work of women in the Australian wine industry.
The awards also recognise industry leaders who champion equality and fairness for all sexes in the workplace.
Jane Thomson, founder and managing director of The Fabulous Ladies' Wine Society, said: "For decades we’ve been wishing and hoping to see a significant rise in gender diversity in the Australian wine industry.
"Unfortunately, wishing alone hasn't worked. Current estimates put female participation at around 8 to 10 per cent, and some areas, like viticulture, are actually in decline. The Australian wine industry needs positive female role models and leaders. With these awards we hope to highlight a few more of them."
The awards, the first of their kind in Australia, offer four categories which will be judged by six members of an Advisory Board that is made up of some of the industry’s leading female talent.
The entry deadline for the Australian Women in Wine Awards is Tuesday 6 October, 2015 and you can enter via the Women in Wine Awards website. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 17 November.
The Award Categories for 2015 are:
- Winemaker of the Year – sponsored by Wine Ark
- Viticulturist of the Year – sponsored by Wine Australia
- Owner/Operator of the Year – sponsored by Cellarhand
- Workplace Champion of Change – sponsored by Vinomofo