Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) announces the finalists of the 2026 Wine Communicator Awards across the thirteen individual categories.
WCA’s Executive Officer, Ruth Harris commented, “Each year we turn a spotlight on those Wine Communicators who are doing outstanding work promoting, educating and engaging the wider public on the wonders of wine. The finalists this year all sent in fantastic submissions which showed the genuine depth and breadth of excellence in Australian wine communication. They included insightful wine books and articles; entertaining podcasts and YouTube channels; brilliant brand marketing campaigns; top quality wine educators; successful wine tasting events – big and small; beautifully-designed websites and wine packaging; and fabulous cellar-door, sales and marketing people promoting wine with passion. Judging involved detailed scrutiny to determine who was worthy of being named a finalist, and confirms each of the named finalists as an inspiring examples of wine communication excellence.”
Each entry submission was reviewed by a panel of independent, expert judges (see details on WCA website) and the finalists and category winners were selected. The winners of each category and the overall 2026 Wine Communicator of the Year, who is chosen by the WCA Board from the category winners, will be revealed at the Wine Communicator Awards Ceremony on Thursday 5th November 2026 in Sydney. Tickets to attend the Awards Night are available here.
The finalists for each category, in alphabetical order, are:
Best Australian Wine Communication Campaign (sponsored by Wine Australia)
- Fiano Festa by Mastermind Consulting + Oliver’s Taranga
- Jacob’s Creek x Australian Open 2026 by Vinarchy
- Poco Vino by Australian Vintage
Best Digital Communication (sponsored by Liquid Ideas)
- BottleShock
- Halliday Wine Companion Podcast
- Wine Unfiltered
Best Social Media Communication (sponsored by Endeavour Group)
- Best’s Wine
- Brokenwood
- Rootlings
Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column (sponsored by De Bortoli)
- Campbell Mattinson, ‘Peter Dredge is not a winemaker by accident’, published on http://www.campbellmattinson.com
- Cody Profaca, ‘The future of Australian wine is here today and here to stay’, published in Drinks Trade magazine
- Lisa Cardelli, ‘The Cost of Silence’, published in Halliday magazine
- Markus Patz, ‘The Edges of the Wine World’, published in Drinks Trade magazine
Best Packaging Design (sponsored by WineHub)
- Bento, designed by Denomination
- Chapel Hill The Devil, designed by Denomination
- Poco Vino, designed by Australian Vintage
Best Wine Book (sponsored by the University of Adelaide)
- Halliday Wine Companion 2026
- Penfolds Rewards of Patience, Andrew Caillard MW + Longueville Media
Best Winery Website (sponsored by Parallax Design)
- Barossa.com
- Henschke
- Ottelia
Best Wine-Themed Event (sponsored by Purple Giraffe)
- Coonawarra Tutorial Series
- Mould x Pinot Palooza
- The Big Blind League
Best Wine Communicator: Cellar Door (Individual or Team) (sponsored by Coravin)
- Derek Gilby – Piggs Peake Winery
- Rhiannan Wilson – Dandelion Vineyard
- Samantha Bradley – Xanadu
Best Wine Communicator: Marketing (sponsored by Vinomofo)
- Jenna Vaughan, JV Social Co
- Lara Apollonio, Sidewood Estate
- Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting
Best Wine Communicator: Sales (sponsored by Coravin)
- Gerome Vaughan, Burch Family Wines
- Roger Bond, Dan Murphy’s Double Bay
Best Wine Education Provider (sponsored by RIEDEL)
- Sarah Andrew, Selador Wines
- Dr David Jaud and Dr Irma Dupuis Day, Adelaide University’s ‘The Art and Science of Sustainable Wine Business and Tourism Executive Program’ (a Great Wine Capitals Adelaide initiative)
- Yvonne Hilsz, Positive Change Coaching
Best Wine Student (sponsored by Wine Communicators of Australia)
The winner of this category receives $500 towards continuing their wine studies.
- Alexandra Quinton
- Emma Vercoe
- Kate Henderson