The inaugural Sponsor-A-Variety has been selected – and the winner is Shavkapito which was nominated by Anna Hooper. Not heard of it? Neither had we. But read on to see Anna’s application which piqued our interest and hopefully yours too… Shavkapito Nominated by Anna Hooper I am head winemaker at Cape Jaffa Wines in Mt Benson where […]
We love to bandy about the claim that the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show is ‘More than just a wine show’ but what does that really mean? Well, of course we are in the (not-for-profit) business of critical assessment of wines against their peers in an unbiased environment. This is undertaken each year by a […]
James Scarcebrook “My name is James Scarcebrook and I’m thrilled to be the 2016 AAVWS Fellow. My entry into the industry was in retail back in 2004, and finding an affinity with selling and talking about wine, I decided to follow a vinous career path. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to work in a […]
By Adam Walls, the 2015 AAVWS Fellow From the outset, my time at the 2015 AAVWS was A +. Mildura put on a show! Postcard spring weather, country hospitality and top class food and wine. The weekend opened my eyes to the momentum that ‘alternative varieties’ are currently experiencing in Australia. The AAVWS is […]
Guest Blog by Stefano de Pieri Dr Rod Bonfiglioli – the viticulturist at Chalmers’ Nursery – came to see me on a cold winter night. He said he had a project and he needed my help. I was eager to talk to him. I heard about mysterious wine things going on in the heart […]
After beginning as a Sangiovese Challenge in 1999 and an Australian Italian variety celebration in 2000, the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in it’s current form kicked off in 2001. Here is a snapshot of what that first AAVWS entailed from the archive of event manager Helen Healy with observations from Inaugural Chief of Judges Tim White (both pictured)… […]
My name is Adam Walls and I have to say I am very much looking forward to the first weekend in November and the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. I have been a lover of what we in term ‘alternative varieties’ for over a decade since I was lucky enough to tour Europe as a […]
My name is Nathan Gogoll, I’m a journalist and I know there’s no better opportunity to uncover great story ideas than to be immersed, behind the scenes, at events where the industry gets together. Could there be a better opportunity for the new editor of the Australia & New Zealand Grapegropwer & Winemaker than a […]
My name is Sarah Limacher, I have the pleasure of being Group Sommelier for The Keystone Group, which based in Sydney operates 26 venues across Australia, our portfolio includes our 3 iconic wine bars The Winery Surry Hills, Gazebo and Manly Wine, restaurants such as Rushcutters, The Chophouse, Jamie’s Italian and Kingsleys, our members club […]
It was the year 2004 that we first heard about the AAVWS and because of my interest in Alternative varieties we thought we’d go along and enter our Sangiovese which at the time only had it as a clean skin. We arrived on the Friday avo that 1st week of November. Back then the tasting […]
Changing the World
“The massive impact the AAVWS has had on wine production and consumption in Australia over the last 15 years is now flowing overseas as alternative varieties breathe new life into the UK market and add colour and excitement to the Australian offering.”
Ashley Ratcliff | President 2016 - 2020
