Sidewood Estate won the 2024 Wine Tourism Award, presented at last year’s Wine Industry Impact Awards Gala Dinner at the National Wine Centre. Image courtesy WISA
Nominations have opened for the 2025 Wine Industry IMPACT Awards (WIIA). Now in its ninth year, the awards aim to shine a light on the outstanding contributions made by wine industry suppliers through collaborative, innovative, and impactful partnerships across the grape and wine value chain.
Hosted by WISA and supported by their award and event partners, the Wine Industry IMPACT Awards recognise initiatives that demonstrate measurable improvements to the capability, competitiveness, and resilience of the grape and wine sector.
“In today’s fast-evolving and competitive landscape, it’s critical that wine producers have access to cutting-edge solutions, sustainable practices, and innovative thinking,” said Liz Schoen, executive chair of WISA. “These awards provide a platform for suppliers to showcase the real impact their work has on wine businesses, from vineyard to consumer.”
With categories spanning sustainability, packaging & design, wine tourism, viticulture, ag- tech, engineering, winemaking & oenology, and logistics, the awards recognise excellence that is shaping the future of Australian wine—locally and globally.
Following WISA’s transition from an Australian association to an international body, it is welcoming and encourage nominations from beyond Australia’s borders. WISA said this “broadening of scope” reflects the increasingly global nature of the industry, and the shared opportunities and challenges faced by suppliers and producers around the world.
Highlights from 2024
The 2024 Wine Industry IMPACT Awards celebrated exceptional projects across the value chain.
Pernod Ricard Winemakers (which has since merged with Accolade Wines to become part of Vinarchy) took out two major categories: Sustainability (for their employee-led waste reduction initiatives) and Packaging & Design (in partnership with VISY Glass for their lightweight Riesling bottle innovation).
Sidewood Estate won the Wine Tourism Award for their accessible and inclusive Hahndorf cellar door that connects visitors with their premium wine story. Lallemand received the Viticulture Award for LalVigne PROHYDRO, an innovation improving vineyard resilience to water stress.
Rural Freight Connections received the newly introduced Logistics Award for their work in enhancing last-mile wine delivery efficiency and sustainability.
In the Ag-Tech category, Nukon, in collaboration with Treasury Wine Estates, was recognised for delivering a fully digitalised Barrel Management System. Affinity Labs earned the Winemaking & Oenology Award for their work in helping winemakers meet new EU nutritional labelling standards. They were also runner-up for the prestigious Supplier of the Year Award as judges by the Australian Grape & Wine board.
Be recognised in 2025:
Nominations are now open for the 2025 WIIA and will close on 29 August. An independent panel of expert judges will assess nominations in September, with finalists invited to attend WISA’s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner to be held on Wednesday, 20 November 2025, in Adelaide South Australia, where the winners will be announced.
“These awards represent more than a trophy—they’re a signal of leadership, partnership and innovation,” added Schoen. “We look forward to celebrating the people and businesses who are driving positive change and helping ensure a thriving, wine industry.”
Nominate here or learn more.
