More than just a wine show for over twenty years

In 1999 Stefano de Pieri and Bruce Chalmers, along with Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli, initiated the Sangiovese Awards and continued in 2000 with the Australian Italian Wine Show. Following the success of these shows, the first Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show was held in Mildura in November 2001 and because of you, our AAVWS Family, we have become one of the most dynamic Wine Shows in the country.

For twenty one years the AAVWS has been more than a forum for wines that fall outside the mainstream. We continue to encourage cutting-edge judging procedures and provide a host of social and educational events that promote knowledge sharing and the ferment of ideas. We have been innovative and adventurous and over time have introduced a custom built Show software system WineShowPro, looked into sponsoring new varieties, developed an International Judge program, including tours of Victorian wineries, and instigated a Fellowship for passionate candidates to visit Mildura to experience the show and become new alternative variety ambassadors.

CELEBRATING 21+ YEARS

Recently we celebrated our 21st Birthday, marking the collective achievements of the AAVWS Family and in 2023 this will include the launch of a new book in collaboration with writer, Max Allen. Alternative Reality charts the course of Australia’s alternative variety wine scene over the last two decades through the lens of the stories, people and wines of the AAVWS.

Alternative Reality will be launched in August 2023. We can't wait!