When: 7pm 20 July
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
Cost: $275
The Australian Wine Industry Awards is once again returning for 2025 with partners 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’s instalment marks the 35th anniversary since the Maurice O’Shea Award was founded by the McWilliam family – the former long-term owner of Mount Pleasant – to pay homage to its legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea.
Chief Winemaker for Mount Pleasant Wines Adrian Sparks said, “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.”
It also marks the second year in which the McWilliam’s Excellence in Action Award has been run.
“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,” said Andrew Calabria, third-generation Sales & Marketing Director for Calabria Family Wine Group.
“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.”
Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s have brought together a panel of industry leaders, journalists, winemakers, and representatives from Mount Pleasant, McWilliam’s Wines, and Calabria Family Wines to form a judging committee for this year’s awards.
This committee will confer to select the nominees for each award. Additionally, Members of the Australian wine industry are welcome to submit a nomination for either award here.
Both awards will be presented at the exclusive Australian Wine Industry Awards ceremony at Adelaide Town Hall in July.