Congratulations to the winners of the third annual Wine Australia China Awards

Wine Australia has announced 12 winners in the third annual Wine Australia China Awards during a cocktail reception held at Noah’s Yacht Club in Shanghai last month. These awards recognise people who have helped promote distinctively Australian fine wine in the Chinese market in the last financial year.

The cocktail reception, attended by more than 100 guests, was hosted by Wine Australia Head of Market China Willa Yang and Lin Libo, Executive Editor of the Chinese edition of La Revue du Vin de France.

The judging panel comprised educators, wine media, sector experts and delegates from Austrade in Shanghai. They assessed the efforts of more than 130 wine professionals to determine the winners in their relevant categories.

Winners were selected based on their contribution to promoting Australian wine in China or educating Chinese wine consumers on the unique terroirs, quality and diversity of style of Australian fine wines. 

The winners will have the opportunity to visit Australian and experience the terroir, people and places behind Australia’s fine wine as part of Wine Australia’s Pan-Asian Trade and Media Trip 2016.
Ms Yang said recognising those who advocate for Australian wine in the growing China market was more important than ever.

‘In the last 12 months we’ve seen exports to China increase by 47 per cent to A$313 million. China is now Australia’s third most valuable export market for wine and a more than a third of those exports are in the higher price points above A$10.’

‘We’re seeing a rising interest in wine culture from the middle class and it’s fitting to publicly acknowledge those partners in the Chinese wine community who have been passionate advocates for Australian wine,’ said Ms Yang.

Anson Mui, General Manager at Beijing Wine Master Liquor Co. and one of the winners of the Wine Best Importer Award said, ‘I am really grateful for the acknowledgement from Wine Australia and all the judges of our efforts. I am really honoured and touched. This award is not only a milestone for Beijing Master but also a sign of strong encouragement. We will try our best to bring more high-quality Australian wine to China.’

Richard Dolan, General Manager of Wines by Geoff Hardy, a sponsor of the awards commented, ‘Wines by Geoff Hardy was thrilled to sponsor the Wine Australia China Awards for the second year.

‘As a long-standing and famous family wine company that strives for continued excellence in all we do, it’s a great opportunity to recognise another year of excellence and success by individuals and companies in the Chinese wine market, with a particular emphasis on those who make a significant contribution to the success of Australian wine.

‘Likewise, it offers a great platform to engage with the key centres of influence in the Chinese wine industry and continue to build the growing profile of our brand in China.’

Wine Australia China Awards 2015

Wines by Geoff Hardy Best Importer

• Beijing Wine Master Liquor Co.
• The Wine Republic
• Wolleimi (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd.

Jacob’s Creek Best Wine List

• Noah’s Yacht Club

Jacob’s Creek Best Sommelier

• Kobe Hou, Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai
• Tansy Zhao, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Swan Wine Group Best Online Retailer

• Amazon

Swan Wine Group Best Offline Retailer

• City Shop
• Pudao Wines

Barossa Wine School Educator Award

• James Dai
• Yang Guo
• Zhan Jicheng