South Australian MLC Justin Hanson opened the awards evening
The Wine Industry Suppliers Association (WISA) has announced the winners of the 2025 Wine Industry Impact Awards, recognising supplier businesses whose products, services, and innovations create positive change, drive collaboration, and leave a lasting impact across the value chain.
This year marks a milestone 25 years of the Wine Industry Suppliers Association, and the awards night was suitably celebrated at the InterContinental Adelaide last night.
The evening was officially opened by South Australian MLC Justin Hanson, representing SA’s Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven.
In his welcome to guests, Hanson highlighted the strength of Australia’s innovation across the wine industry.
“Behind every good wine label there are teams like yourselves, of dedicated suppliers, researchers, and innovators that make it possible, [and], indeed, profitable to produce and distribute some of the world’s best wine,” said Hanson.
WISA executive chair Liz Schoen acknowledged the contribution of businesses supplying the wine industry noting that “two thirds of the wine sector’s $51.3 billion output comes from suppliers”. “That’s an extraordinary contribution and a reminder of just how important suppliers are,” said Schoen.
“Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable talent, innovation, and collaboration that drives our industry forward,” she continued. “I want to especially thank our expert panel of judges, who faced the challenging task of comparing nominations that were so diverse—a true reflection of our multifaceted industry, where art, science, innovation, and collaboration intersect. The scoring was extremely close across all categories, and every finalist submitted a worthy nomination.”
Schoen encouraged winemakers, owners, brand managers, and “anyone looking to optimise their 2026 vintage” to read more about these innovations, and to contact her if they were interested in an introduction.
Full details on each nomination can be found here.
The evening was hosted by Brendan Carter, co-owner of Unico Zelo and Bottle Shock, who underscored the importance of recognising all points of the sector’s value chain.
“These awards are about highlighting those solutions that are positively impacting the capability and competitiveness of Australia’s grape and wine producers,” said Carter. “The nomination process of the awards is a valuable opportunity to review your business, build team morale, and assess your focus squarely on the value that you are delivering to the industry.”
Putting a positive spin on the challenges of the industry, Carter bolstered the room by drawing attention to a point raised by Amorim Australia CEO Tim Stead.
“I’ve just been speaking about some of the challenges that the wine industry is facing,” said Carter. “It is actually a really good time for suppliers to start fixing problems. When times are great, then innovation typically drops down.”
Now, however, Carter said we are seeing “exciting” solutions to “very real problems”, which otherwise might not have been addressed. Some such solutions, like SIG and Hill Smith Family Estates’ recycle-ready bag-in-box packaging, were recognised with awards at the event last night.
The winners of the 2025 Wine Industry Impact Awards are:
Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Southern Premium Vineyards and the Packaging & Design Award – Sponsored by MGA Insurance
Winner of both awards: SIG Group & Hill-Smith Family Estates
SIG has launched Australia’s first recycle-ready bag-in-box for wine, made at its Adelaide facility using mono-material SIG Terra RecShield film. Fully recyclable, including bag, tap, and carton, it supports national packaging targets and sustainability goals, reducing environmental impact while maintaining wine quality through local innovation and collaboration with leading producers. Working alongside Hill-Smith Family Estates, Vinarchy, DeBortoli Wines, and Calabria Family Wines, SIG has ensured the packaging maintains wine quality through shelf-life and transport trials, giving producers confidence in its performance while helping them meet their own sustainability commitments.
SIG’s recycle-ready bag-in-box for wine
Wine Business Award – Sponsored by Wine Australia
Winner: Hydra Consulting ‘WA Wines to the World’
Hydra Consulting’s WA Wines to the World program has driven export growth for Western Australian wine producers despite a national decline. Through a 50% co-funded model, over 130 global activations, and 177 engaged producers, WA wine exports grew 22% in value share. Hydra’s strategic leadership delivered lasting industry impact, global recognition, and strengthened Western Australia’s wine reputation.
Dr Darren Oemcke, marketing director at Hydra Consulting and Ron van Buuren co-founder and managing director
Engineering & Equipment Award – Sponsored by Climate Wizard by Seeley International
Winner: Winegrid by Enartis
Winegrid’s Oenosensing® Fermentation Monitoring System combines real-time data, predictive algorithms, smart protocols, and alerts to “revolutionise” winemaking. This award-winning technology transforms fermentation from paper logs into a fully digital, efficient, and consistent process, giving winemakers unprecedented control, accuracy, and confidence.
Winegrid by Enartis
Winemaking & Oenology Award – Sponsored by Bentleys SA/NT
Winner: Lallemand
Lallemand’s Oenodia STARS® technology provides wineries with a sustainable, energy-efficient, and additive-free solution for production challenges. In one step, it delivers tartrate and calcium stability, pH adjustment, and crossflow filtration, saving energy, time, and tank space. Used to stabilize over 1.5 billion bottles annually, STARS® enhances quality, efficiency, and sustainability across global wineries.
The Oenodia team
Supplier of the Year – Sponsored by Stanton & Stanton
Winner: Lallemand
Lallemand also took out the coveted Supplier of the Year award, recognising their outstanding overall contribution to the Australian wine industry. This award was judged by the board of Australian Grape and Wine and celebrates the supplier whose products or services demonstrate the greatest relevance, innovation, and impact across all categories.
In addition to the award sponsors, WISA said the night would not have been possible without wine sponsors; Hill-Smith Family Estates, Vinarchy and Unico Zelo, and extended special thanks to Tracy Leithbridge from Bridge Events for her support.
WISA congratulated all finalists and winners and thanked everyone involved for helping to make the 2025 Awards night a “truly inspiring event”, noting that the awards highlighted the extraordinary contribution of suppliers to the wine sector and their role in driving innovation, sustainability and excellence.
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