Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) has announced the finalists of the 2026 Wine Communicator Awards across the thirteen individual categories.
The winners will be revealed at the award ceremony in Sydney on Thursday 5 November.
WCA executive officer Ruth Harris said, “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.”
Finalists
Best Australian Wine Communication Campaign
• 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
• BottleShock
• Halliday Wine Companion Podcast
• Wine Unfiltered
Best Social Media Communication
• Best’s Wine
• Brokenwood
• Rootlings
Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column
• Campbell Mattinson, ‘Peter Dredge is not a winemaker by accident’, published on 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
• Bento, designed by Denomination
• Chapel Hill The Devil, designed by Denomination
• Poco Vino, designed by Australian Vintage
Best Wine Book
• Halliday Wine Companion 2026
• Penfolds Rewards of Patience, Andrew Caillard MW + Longueville Media
Best Winery Website
• Barossa.com
• Henschke
• Ottelia
Best Wine-Themed Event
• Coonawarra Tutorial Series
• Mould x Pinot Palooza
• The Big Blind League
Best Wine Communicator: Cellar Door (Individual or Team)
• Derek Gilby – Piggs Peake Winery
• Rhiannan Wilson – Dandelion Vineyard
• Samantha Bradley – Xanadu
Best Wine Communicator: Marketing
• Jenna Vaughan, JV Social Co
• Lara Apollonio, Sidewood Estate
• Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting
Best Wine Communicator: Sales
• Gerome Vaughan, Burch Family Wines
• Roger Bond, Dan Murphy’s Double Bay
Best Wine Education Provider
• 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
• Alexandra Quinton
• Emma Vercoe
• Kate Henderson