Affinity Labs named WISA Wine Industry Supplier of the Year

Affinity Labs was named Supplier of the Year at the 2024 Wine Industry Impact Awards at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide last night.

Affinity Labs also won the Winemaking & Oenology Award.

WISA chair Tim Stead says the Wine Industry IMPACT Awards continue to highlight the extraordinary talent and ingenuity within the sector, setting a high standard for years to come.

“The finalists and winners represent the Australian wine industry’s greatest competitive advantage,” he says.

“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.”

Katie Spain was the MC for the evening which brought together industry leaders, innovators and supporters for a night of recognition, connection and celebration.

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.

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.

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 crossflow filtration. Brilliant to see local innovation delivering better wine outcomes plus better energy and waste outcomes.

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
Runners-up: Rural Freight Connections and Ripen Tech.

Photo: WISA chair Tim Stead (Ben Macmahon).