About the Awards

The ASVO strives to promote the advancement of professional knowledge, professional skills and professional attitudes, in the fields of viticulture and oenology, in members of the Society. In 2012, the ASVO Awards for Excellence was established as a prestigious event to promote industry excellence, foster leadership, and encourage innovation and sustainability in the Australian wine industry. As an industry, we are fortunate to have many very skilled and professional people who are contributing significantly to the industry, inspiring those around them to seek out and adopt innovative practices. The ASVO Awards for Excellence recognises the achievements of some of the most dedicated and professional individuals in the wine industry. ASVO Award recipients are nominated by ASVO members, with the finalists decided by an ASVO Board appointed selection committee, comprised of individuals who themselves are distinguished in the fields of viticulture and oenology who demonstrate exceptional leadership ability and vision. Winners of the ASVO Viticulturist and ASVO Winemaker of the year, along with the ASVO Best Viticultural Paper of the Year, Best Oenology Paper of the Year, and the Dr Peter May Award for the most cited AJGWR paper published in the previous five years, are announced at an Awards ceremony and dinner in November each year.

2022 Awards ceremony

The 2022 Awards for Excellence was a fantastic night. Hosted by Armando Maria Corsi the evening was a great success. An outstanding selection of wines and plenty of time to network meant conversation flowed and a good time was had by all attending.
The evening commenced with the announcement of the 2022 scholarship recipients followed by three research-based Awards, Dr Peter May Award Viticulture Paper of the year and Oenology Paper of the year. After a break the much-anticipated Awards for Viticulturist and Winemaker of the Year were announced along with the inaugural Wine Science and Technology Award.
The evening concluded with the newly inducted Fellows recounting their career highlights.

The full gallery of photos is available here

Photos by John Kruger

Award Categories

ASVO Viticulturist of the Year Award

This award honours an outstanding viticulturist who demonstrates a broad positive contribution to the Australian wine industry and / or community, improvement from standard practice in their field through adoption of innovative practices, technologies or standards, and contributes positively to the culture of their organisation and the broader wine industry in either a regional, state or national capacity. The nominees’ activities for which they are being recognised must have occurred within Australia over the previous five years.

ASVO Winemaker of the Year Award

This award honours an outstanding winemaker who demonstrates a broad positive contribution to the Australian wine industry and / or community, improvement from standard practice in their field through adoption of innovative practices, technologies or standards, and contributes positively to the culture of their organisation and the broader wine industry in either a regional, state or national capacity. The nominees’ activities for which they are being recognised must have occurred within Australia over the previous five years.

ASVO Wine Science and Technology Award

This award honours an outstanding individual who demonstrates a broad positive contribution to the Australian wine industry and / or community, improvement from standard practice in their field through adoption of innovative practices, technologies or standards, and contributes positively to the culture of their organisation and the broader wine industry in either a regional, state or national capacity. The nominees’ activities for which they are being recognised must have occurred within Australia over the previous five years. 

Dr Peter May Award

This award is in honour of the late Dr Peter May who was the inaugural editor for the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research (AJGWR) and is awarded to the author(s) of the most cited AJGWR paper published in the previous five years. This award was established in 2018.

ASVO Viticultural Paper of the Year Award

This award honours an outstanding Author(s) of a paper published in the AJGWR in the previous twelve months where the potential application of the research on viticultural practices is deemed by an industry/science-based panel to have the most impact. Proudly sponsored by Wiley.

ASVO Oenology Paper of the Year Award

This award honours an outstanding Author(s) of a paper published in the AJGWR in the previous twelve months where the potential application of the research on winemaking practices is deemed by an industry/science-based panel to have the most impact. Proudly sponsored by Wiley.

ASVO Advanced Wine Assessment Course Scholarship

The Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC) Scholarship is designed to support applicants who have the potential to become wine show judges to develop the sensory analysis capabilities and the vocabulary to judge wine in Australian at an elite level. Support by the Australian Wine Research institute (AWRI)

Sponsor the ASVO Awards

The ASVO award dinners are focused on good people, genuine connections and quality networking. So, whether you’re looking to meet industry influencers, want to talk business, make new friends, or want to show your company support for an award finalist, there’s a seat at our table with your name on it. Why not get a group together and sponsor the ASVO? If it’s not for you but you know someone who could be interested, lets us know.