Press Release - 2024 Winners of the Wine IMPACT Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winners Announced at the 2024 Wine Industry IMPACT Awards Gala Dinner

Adelaide, 14 November 2024 – The wine industry’s night of nights, the Wine Industry IMPACT Awards Gala Dinner, was held last night at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide, celebrating excellence and innovation across the wine supply chain. Katie Spain was the charismatic MC for the evening which brought together industry leaders, innovators, and supporters for an unforgettable night of recognition, connection, and celebration. 

The awards highlighted outstanding achievements across multiple categories, showcasing the dedication and creativity that continue to drive the Australian wine industry forward. This year’s winners were selected by an expert panel of judges who carefully reviewed and evaluated each entry for its impact and contribution to the sector.

The evening was a celebration of not only the winners but also the industry as a whole. “The finalists and winners represent the Australian wine industry’s greatest competitive advantage.  Our capacity to innovate, to improve and to adapt to changing conditions is what makes our sector resilient and that’s what we’re celebrating.  I encourage everyone in our industry to pay attention to the achievements of the award recipients and take inspiration from them.” said WISA Chair, Tim Stead. 

Thank you to our major event sponsor; Hydra Consulting, as well as our category sponsors; Stanton & Stanton, Green Industries SA, National Wine Centre, Wine Australia, Southern Premium Vineyards, Australian Grape & Wine, and wine sponsors; Australian Vintage, Tom Hardy Wines, Pernod Ricard Winemaking and Sidewood Estate. Thanks to everyone who attended for making the evening such a memorable celebration of the wine industry. The Wine Industry IMPACT Awards continue to highlight the extraordinary talent and ingenuity within the sector, setting a high standard for years to come.

And the 2024 Wine Industry IMPACT Awards winners are..... More information on each award can be found at on our website. 

• Sustainability Award: Pernod Ricard Winemakers (Sponsored by Green Industries SA)

Pernod Ricard winning nomination was about the waste reduction and landfill activities they are undertaking within the business. The diversion offer cost savings, generate revenue for recycling industries, and reduce emissions. Employee-led initiatives repurpose materials as alternative fuel, promoting awareness and sustainability across the company and beyond.

• Packaging & Design Award: Pernod Ricard Winemakers (sponsored by WISA)

Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Visy Glass collaborated to develop a lightweight Riesling bottle, reducing weight by 108 grams and height by 11mm. This innovation improves sustainability and load efficiency, reduces costs and showcases a commitment to quality and reducing environmental impact. This improved Riesling bottle opens new markets and opportunities for all.

• Wine Tourism Award: Sidewood Estate (Sponsored by National Wine Centre)

In February 2020, admist the pandemic, Sidewood opened their cellar door and restaurant in Hahndorf. Their goal was to create a destination that was inclusive, accessible and celebrated their premium wines in a sophisticated but relaxed environment. As they continue to adapt and evolve, this venue has become the heart and soul of Sidewood, their home and a special place to share their stories and passion with the community.

• Viticulture & Grape Growing Award: Lallemand (Sponsored by Southern Premium Vineyards) 

LalVigne PROHYDRO, a proline-rich specific yeast derivative, is a groundbreaking innovation from Lallemand, designed to enhance grapevine resilience to water stress, thus vineyards can maintain higher physiological activity, ensuring better photosynthesis and transpiration rates. This foliar spray product will improve grape quality and yield, even under challenging environmental conditions.

• Engineering & Equipment: PTI Pacific (Sponsored by Seeley International) 

PTI Pacific’s entry provides an automated solution for dead-end filtration. Automated backwashing in conjunction with a specific filter cartridge type allow long-term use between cartridge replacement. It is offered as an alternative to cross-flow filtration. Brilliant to see local innovation delivering better wine outcomes plus better energy and waste outcomes. 

• Ag-Tech & Innovation Award: Nukon (Sponsored by Wine Australia)

Nukon, part of the SAGE Group, partnered with Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and its automation suppliers to deliver a digitalisation and end-to-end automated Barrel Management System - a first in the global wine industry. This transformed a number of traditional winemaking processes at TWE’s Barossa Valley facility into a highly efficient, sustainable, and data-driven operation.

• Winemaking & Oenology Award: Affinity Labs (Sponsored by Bentleys) 

Affinity Labs supports Australian winemakers with precise nutritional information and energy calculations to meet new EU label standards, offering affordable, accurate data for export certificates. This service fosters transparency and trust, helping producers comply with evolving regulations and giving consumers clear, reliable information on wine labels, enhancing brand reputation globally.

• Logistics & Supply Chain Award: Rural Freight Connections (Sponsored by Australian Grape & Wine) 

Rural Freight Connections have revolutionised winery deliveries to restaurants and cafés by pairing wineries with the right local carriers. This ensures faster, cost-effective, and sustainable deliveries, whilst also supporting smaller regional freight companies. Our service enhances efficiency and service, benefiting both wineries and the local hospitality industry, and creates stronger industry relationships.

• Supplier of the Year: Affinity Labs (nutritional information and energy calculations), (Sponsored by Stanton & Stanton) with runners up as Rural Freight Connections and Ripen Tech. 

A special award for outstanding overall contribution, This coveted award was judged by the Board and Membership Committees of Australian Grape and Wine. 

Media Contact:
Liz Schoen
Deputy Chair
WISA
eo@wisa.org.au