The Australian Wine Industry Awards return this year, continuing in partnership with McWilliam’s Wines and Mount Pleasant Wines to present both the Maurice O’Shea Award and McWilliam’s Wines Excellence in Action Award.
This year marks the 35th anniversary since the founding of the Maurice O’Shea Award in 1990 by the McWilliam family to pay homage to Mount Pleasant’s legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea.
Both awards will be presented at the exclusive Australian Wine Industry Awards ceremony at Adelaide Town Hall on Sunday 20 July.
The Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference starts that day.
The Maurice O’Shea Award recognises an individual, group, or organisation for their incredible service or contribution to the sector through winemaking, cultivation, innovation and technology.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Maurice O’Shea Award for its 35th year in 2025,” Mount Pleasant chief winemaker Adrian Sparks says.
“Maurice O’Shea was a man who devoted his efforts to the craft of making exceptional quality Australian wine and this award reflects that sentiment to honour an individual or group making a significant impact on our wonderful industry today.
“Mount Pleasant is proud to continue to honour Maurice O’Shea and his enduring legacy to the Australian wine industry by presenting this award in collaboration with the Calabria family.”
The McWilliam’s Excellence in Action Award will return for its second year to acknowledge an individual, group or organisation that has made a significant impact in the face of the numerous challenges currently facing the Australian wine industry.
“The McWilliam’s Excellence in Action Award shines a light on the many challenges currently facing the wine sector and the individuals or bodies who are striving to overcome these obstacles for the greater good of the Australian wine industry,” Andrew Calabria says.
“McWilliam’s Wines has had its fair share of challenges in its 148-year history, but the family’s perseverance and commitment to the industry are what, to me, stand out over those many years, and we feel this award is an important way to honour their legacy.”
The last awards were presented in 2022, which was the first edition held under the Australian Wine Industry Awards banner.
It also followed a change of ownership to both Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s Wines in 2021 by the Medich Family Office and Calabria Family Wine Group, respectively, which saw the two work together to honour the distinguished awards and bring the industry program into a new era.
In 2022, the Maurice O’Shea Award was presented to Pamela Dunsford OAM, recognising her 40-year-plus contribution to the industry as a trailblazer for women in wine.
Dunsford was the first woman admitted to study Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College before she spent 19 vintages at Chapel Hill where she was also the first female wine show judge.
The McWilliam’s Excellence in Action Award was presented to the Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA) for their dedicated focus on championing the work of women in the Australian wine community.
Members of the Australian wine industry are welcome to submit a nomination for either award for the committee to consider by submitting a nomination form on the AWIA website: www.australianwineindustryawards.com/nomination.
“The conferral process aims to ensure the two awards remain true to their reputation as the highest honour afforded to a member of the wine industry. We are excited to bring together this selection of respected and experienced wine professionals to nominate the finest candidates for these awards,” Sparks says.
The judges are: Phil Ryan, Doug McWilliam, Sally Evans, Louisa Rose, Bill Calabria AM, Mark Krstic, Lee McLean and Jane Faulkner.
It was 1921 and Maurice O’Shea wasn’t afforded the luxury of electricity.
Equipped with only basic tools and an old basket press, O’Shea brought Mount Pleasant to life.
More than 100 years on, the equipment and names have evolved, but the principles and the vineyards remain the same.
Along with a philosophy of honouring O’Shea’s legacy through individual wines, special sites and celebrated styles.
There have only been five chief winemakers at the helm throughout Mount Pleasant’s century-old history.
The winemaking team, led by Adrian Sparks, demonstrate a philosophy focused on sharing the best of the Hunter Valley told through every vineyard and every glass.
Maurice O’Shea Award – Past Winners
Pamela Dunsford OAM (2022)
Robert Hill-Smith (2019)
The Len Evans Tutorial (2016)
Dr Peter Dry AM (2014)
The Australian Screwcap Initiative (2012)
Philip Laffer AM (2010)
Dr John Gladstones (2008)
The Late Dr Ray Beckwith OAM (2006)
The Late Guenter Prass AM (2004)
The Australian Wine Research Institute (2002)
Dr Wolf Blass AM (2000)
The Late Dr Bryce Rankine AM (1998)
Brian Croser AO (1997)
The Late Hazel Murphy AM (1996)
James Halliday AM (1995)
The Jacob’s Creek Brand (1994)
The Late David Wynn AO (1993)
The Late Ron Potter OAM (1992)
The Late Len Evans OBE AO (1991)
The Late Max Schubert AM (1990)