Photo: The Australian Ark team – Andrew Caillard MW, Angus Hughson and David Longfield

The Australian Ark, The Story of Australian Wine – 1788 to the Modern Era, published earlier this year, has picked up its first international publishing award.

It has already been acknowledged as an “extraordinary contribution” to the history and legacy of Australian winemaking, with local industry experts and reviewers lauding the depth and scope of Andrew Caillard’s research, his vivid and accessible writing, and the quality of the three-volume publication.

And now international recognition is coming. In late September, in Lisbon, Portugal, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) Awards named The Australian Ark as not only the winner in its Encyclopedia category but honoured the volumes with the overall President’s Award. This is the first time, in the 100 years since the OIV was founded, that a book has received this award. The OIV has long recognised excellence in publications covering the vine and wine sector in every language and genre, and their annual awards are the leading international measure of quality for the wine industry. The international jury is composed of esteemed experts representing OIV member countries, and their decision is based on consensus, acknowledging outstanding works in each of the 14 competition categories.

And in another accolade, Andrew Caillard has just been announced as a finalist for the IWSC 2025 Wine Communicator Trophy. In shortlisting Caillard, the IWSC wrote, “The Australian Ark represents a monumental history of Australian wine, earning accolades for its depth and insightfulness. “Andrew is such a major figure in wine communication, especially with his seminal book, The Australian Ark, which is such a tour de force. He’s a specialist on the specific subject of Australian wine, but with such a huge international reach that has to be recognised,” said the judges.

The winner of the 2025 IWSC Wine Communicator Trophy will be announced on 12 November at the IWSC Awards Celebration at the Roundhouse, London.

The Australian Ark is now regarded as a landmark history of the Australian wine industry, available in “four beautifully presented formats”. Documenting the times of key people and events from the first days of white settlement to the present day, this three-volume work has already become “the” reference of Australian wine history.

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