Congratulations to the winners of the fourth annual China Awards

Wine professionals who excel in promoting fine Australian wine in China have been celebrated at a gala dinner and ceremony at Space by Three in Shanghai.

Days after its latest Export Report confirmed that mainland China is now Australia’s number one export market by value, Wine Australia has announced 13 worthy winners at its 4th annual China Awards on Monday 24 October.

Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark was in Shanghai for the event and said, ‘The Wine Australia China Awards offer a fantastic opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the people and businesses who are helping to promote fine Australian wine in China.

‘Now our most valuable export market, the growth we are seeing in China is a testament to the wine sector and the great work being done to stimulate more interest and educate Chinese wine consumers on the unique terroirs, quality and diversity of fine Australian wine’, Mr Clark said.

Special guests who celebrated with the winners and more than 200 others included James Halliday AM, and Australian winemakers Justin Purser from Best’s (Great Western, Victoria), Sarah Crowe from Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, Victoria), Scott McWilliam from Mount Pleasant (Hunter Valley, NSW), and Larry Cherubino from Larry Cherubino Wines (Western Australia).

More than 50 wine professionals entered the awards and the 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.

Michael Tse, President of Everwise Wine Limited, won the 2016 Best Importer and he thanked Wine Australia and the judges for acknowledging his efforts.  

‘It is a recognition of our efforts in promoting Australian wine in China market. I’m so excited and deeply touched. The award is a milestone for us in our development and also a great encouragement. We will continue working hard to bring more high quality Australian wine to the China market’, Mr Tse said.

The award categories recognise individuals and businesses in the on-premise and off-premise trade across China, and were supported by Wines by Geoff Hardy, Tourism Australia, the Barossa Wine School and Wolf Blass.
Treasury Wine Estates General Manager of North Asia Peter Dixon said that Wolf Blass was pleased to be a sponsor of this year’s Wine Australia China Awards. 

‘As an Australian winery with origins in the Barossa Valley, it is a great honour to be representing Australian wines on the global stage and witnessing the increasing appreciation for Australian wines in the China market.
‘This awards event has been a great platform to engage with the key influencers and industry insiders in the wine market, and we look forward to continue growing the profile of our brand here in China’, Mr Dixon said.

The celebration of Australian wine started with three master classes by James Halliday AM, the Australian Wine Research Institute, and Sydney Royal Show delivered by Yang Lu, and a tasting of award-winning Australian wines before the official reception and awards dinner.

China Wine Awards Winners 2016

Best Importer

• Shanghai Pran Wines Co., Ltd.
• Aussino World Wines
• Everwise Wine Limited

Best Wine List

• Kakadu

Best Sommelier

• Mr Darren Wang
• Mr James Teng

Best Online Retailer

• Amazon
• Wineyun.com

Best Offline Retailer 

• Pudao Wines

Best Educator

• Mr Sam Chen
• Mr James Dai
• Ms Sophie Liu

Wine Australia Cultural Achievement Award

• Ms Yin Lixue

China now Australia’s most valuable export market

Exports to mainland China grew by 51 per cent to $474 million in the 12 months to September 2016, making it our number one export market by value for the first time. To put this in context, just a decade ago, Australian wine exports to China were valued at $27 million.

Contributing to the exceptional growth are the trade benefits of the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement and the growing Chinese middle class’ increased interest in wine, with average consumption frequency of imported wine and the number of imported wine drinkers both on the rise.

More than a third of Australian wine exports priced $10 and more per litre FOB were destined for China (valued at $190 million and up by 63 per cent).