Steve Faulkner (left), Viticulturist of the Year, and Samantha Connew, Winemaker of the Year
The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) announced its 2025 Awards for Excellence last night, including ‘Winemaker of the Year’, ‘Viticulturist of the Year’, ‘Wine Science and Technology Award’ and the new ‘Emerging Talent Award’.
The awards dinner was held at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide, which also served as an opportunity to recognise the recent Fellows inducted into the society, and to acknowledge the service of long-serving executive officer, Chris Waters, to the ASVO, following the announcement of his intention to retire.
Defying the prolonged hardships faced by the sector, the turnout was strong, with members of the industry in good spirits, and more determined than ever to embrace change as they celebrated the outstanding contributors to innovation and progress in wine and viticulture.
Industry veteran Philip Laffer AM, recently inducted as a Fellow of the Society, gave a speech underscoring the unique strengths of the Australian wine industry which resonated with the audience of his peers, and which multiple speakers came back to reference throughout the night.
Dr Martin Cole acknowledged the dedication of ASVO’s long-serving executive officer, Chris Waters
Winemaker of the Year
Samantha Connew, who owns and runs Stargazer wines in Tasmania, was named ASVO’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year, sponsored by TangoSix. Connew was recognised for her “huge” commitment to volunteering her time and expertise back to the industry, particularly to reward excellence in others.
Samantha Connew. Photo: Adam Gibson
Connew was the youngest judge and first woman to serve as chair of judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, and is the current chair of judges at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. She serves as a tutor and on the board of the Len Evans Tutorial, and has previously served on the board of Wine Tasmania and the advisory board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards.
Connew said she was humbled and overwhelmed by the recognition.
“This has been a challenging year for me personally and professionally (as it is for so many in the wine industry right now) so to be awarded this accolade by my peers is a timely reminder of why we do what we do despite the obstacles, and what a great industry this is to be a part of, and how I’m fortunate to be able to contribute.”
She added some advice to winemakers who are early in their career, with a quote by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Viticulturist of the Year
There was a collective nod when Steve Faulkner was announced as ASVO 2025 Viticulturist of the Year sponsored by Syngenta. Founder of the social media network group @Viticulture_Australia over 5 years ago, seeing the value in bringing people together to share knowledge and love for their job. A graduate of Wine Australia’s Future Leaders program, and currently senior viticulturist for Oakridge Wines, Faulkner’s positive impact on the industry was described as tangible and genuine.
Steve Faulkner. Image courtesy ASVO
“Inspiration comes from a lot of places over the course of one’s career,” said Faulkner. “The AWRI and the ASVO have been a continual source of information helping all of us to make the right decisions at the right time. These industry bodies are of massive benefit to everyone.”
He also thanked those who guided him, including Don Faulkner, Hugh Robinson, Chris Pfeiffer, Stuart Proud, Darren Morgan, Liz Riley, and David Bicknell. “David’s quality-first view fits perfectly with my own, and his support inspires me daily. His decision to hire me at Oakridge is the reason I’m able to receive this award today.”
Wine Science & Technology Award
The ASVO 2025 Wine Science and Technology Award sponsored by WineChek was presented to Kerry Wilkinson. Wilkinson is the ARC Industry Fellow and Professor of Oenology at the University of Adelaide where she has dedicated her last 18 years on education and research.
Kerry Wilkinson. Image courtesy ASVO
“I’m honoured to receive this award, and privileged to work with an amazing team of research staff, students, and collaborators,” said Wilkinson. “It’s really special to have our research acknowledged. I love my job and enjoy the challenge of applying science and technology to solve new and old industry problems.”
Emerging Talent Award
Maggie Jarrett, originator of the concept of the Rootlings wine industry youth network in NSW, was the deserving recipient of the new Emerging Talent Award sponsored by Wine Network Consulting. Despite coming from a small family-owned winery, SeeSaw Wines, Jarrett had a big idea and was willing to put in the effort to make it come to life.
Maggie Jarrett. Photo: Monique Lovick Photography
“I’m truly humbled to receive the inaugural ASVO Emerging Talent Award. I believe the NSW Rootlings Program succeeded because we listened to the challenges facing the next generation of the wine industry and tailored the project to their needs and desired outcomes,” said Jarrett. “It shows that when you listen to what’s happening at ground level and build from there, we [young people] can achieve anything.”
Unique placement of the Australian wine industry
Setting the tone before the night’s award winners were announced, the recently inducted ASVO fellows, Mardi Longbottom and Philip Laffer, were acknowledged in front of their peers, and given the opportunity to speak. Comments made by Philip Laffer AM appeared to resonate particularly with the audience, with numerous speakers referencing his remarks throughout the night.
Laffer praised the ASVO for being an integral cog in the Australian wine industry (and joked that they elect a few “very old Fellows”).
“In my lifetime of wine, we’ve had ups and downs in the wine industry, some brought about by our optimistic oversupply, sometimes by countries that didn’t like it…there’s been a range of things, but this current situation is something entirely different. It’s to do with demographics.
“In the last 25 years, each year there’s been a reduction of 1% in worldwide consumption. Our world wine consumption is now 25% lower, and I suspect it may have further to go; I reckon this is not something that’s going to change, but it will probably bottom out somewhere, and that will become the new normal.”
In spite of these numbers, Laffer reiterated his faith in the Australian wine industry, and explained why he believed it was best placed to withstand the current challenges.
“We provide probably the best education in viticulture and wine of anyone in the world (maybe New Zealand’s up there),” he said. “More importantly, we not only provide that, but it’s actually taken up—most of the people who work in industry can benefit from a good education in viticulture or in wine. So that sets us apart from many other countries.”
Equally important, though perhaps a surprise to some, Laffer noted, is the country’s national wine shows.
“The wine shows are an enormous help in Australia to raise the standard of wines,” he said.
Thirdly, Laffer emphasised the importance of the “world class” Australian Wine Research institute (AWRI).
“The AWRI belongs to the industry,” he said. “It’s a board of industry members, and always has been. And that’s part of the strength—we’re not beholden to the government, we’re not beholden to anybody else.”
Lastly, he praised the ASVO as a driver of research and innovation in the industry through its extensive publication and support.
“These are four things that are somewhat unique in the Australian wine industry, [and] should help us come through this reduced wine consumption problem in a better place than anybody else. So thank you once again for making me a Fellow, and the best thing we can do now for the industry is to have a glass of wine.”
Many of the ASVO Fellows were in attendance last night, gathering here for a rare photo opportunity
Dining and Cooking