Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show

13/03/2026

🍷 Support the future of Australian alternative varieties 🍷

The Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) is gearing up for 2026 and we’re inviting industry partners to join us in championing the growers, makers and innovators shaping the future of wine in Australia.

There are plenty of ways to get involved — from Naming Rights Partnerships through to Award Sponsorships such as Best Red Iberian Variety Wine, the Provenance Award, Best Sparkling and many more. Whether you’re looking to support the industry, raise your profile or connect with producers and the broader wine community, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re keen to partner with the show and help keep the spotlight on alternative varieties, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Learn more and download the prospectus:
https://www.aavws.com/programs/aavws-partners

📧 Or email Rohan at [email protected]
to start the conversation.

Over the history of the AAVWS the show has had outstanding and invaluable support from the industry on multiple levels and running the show could not happen without its partners. Each year the AAVWS reach grows as the show continues to develop its database and marketing to maintain and maximise expo...

15/01/2026

🍷📚 Did you miss the news? Don’t worry — we nearly spat our wine too…

We’re still riding the high after Alternative Reality took out Best New Wine Book at the 2025 Wine Communicators of Australia Inc 🏆

Written by the one and only Max Allen, this is the book everyone in wine is talking about — and if you’re not yet… well, here’s your gentle reminder 😄

Think alternative varieties, big ideas, sharp insight and plenty of “aha!” moments — perfect for:
✔️ your bedside table
✔️ your office
✔️ your cellar door (yes, you can buy a box)

📦 Industry pricing available
🛒 Buy a copy for yourself, or stock up for customers here 👉 https://www.aavws.com/the-book-alternative-reality

Because the only thing worse than missing the news… is missing out 🍷😉

14/01/2026

🎓 Applications are now open for the 2026 AAVWS Fellowship Program 🍷

Do you want to join us in Mildura in November 2026?

The Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) Fellowship invites applications from wine professionals and knowledgeable enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring, celebrating and championing Australia’s alternative wine varieties.

Pictured is our 2025 Fellow, Clint Drieberg (The Wine Wankers), whose Fellowship journey captured the spirit of curiosity, connection and storytelling that sits at the heart of this program.

🍇 What’s included
The Fellowship covers all expenses for an immersive experience in Mildura from Tuesday 3 – Sunday 8 November 2026, including:

- Return travel to Mildura
- Accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner daily

Access to exclusive events, tastings and tours, including judging tastings, regional and industry tours, Feature Dinner, Talk & Taste, Show Tasting and Awards Long Lunch

📝 How to apply
Submit a one-page PDF (400 words max) outlining:

- Your skills & networks
- Your goals for the Fellowship
- How you’ll share your experience and knowledge with others

📧 Applications close COB Friday 27 March 2026
🔗 Full details and application info: https://www.aavws.com/fellowship

We’re seeking wine professionals and passionate enthusiasts ready to immerse themselves in Australia’s most intriguing wine varieties — and share that enthusiasm far and wide.

Think this could be you? Apply now.

Mildura.com

11/01/2026

🍷 AAVWS 2026 Judge Applications Now Open 🍷

The Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) is committed to presenting a highly professional, inclusive and well-balanced judging panel each year.

Our Chief of Judges assembles the panel with care, considering:
• a mix of professional backgrounds and experience
• gender balance
• regional representation
• personality and panel dynamic

Each show includes 12 Judges and 4 Associate Judges, with roles usually confirmed by April ahead of the November Show.

If you’d like to register your interest in becoming a Judge or Associate Judge, we invite you to complete the Judges Expression of Interest form.

Please note: submitting an EOI does not guarantee a role — it simply lets us know you’re keen to be involved.

💡 A great way to connect with the Show ahead of judging is by:
• participating as a Steward, or
• applying for the AAVWS Fellowship

🗓 EOIs open late November and close 20 February each year

👉 Register your interest here:
https://www.aavws.com/contact/get-involved

07/01/2026

🍷 SAVE THE DATE 🍷

The 2026 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) is locked in.

📅 4 – 7 November 2026
📍 Mildura, Victoria

Four days of judging, conversation, connection and celebration — championing alternative varieties, progressive thinking and the people shaping what comes next for Australian wine.

More details coming soon. For now, mark the calendar.

04/12/2025

Pecorino white wine in Australia, description, producers and regions

12/11/2025

Missed us last week? Check out some select AAVWS wine tastings this Friday at the Mildura Airport!

🍷 AAVWS Celebration Tasting – This Friday! 🍇
Last week, saw the celebration of the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show and what a huge success it was! 🙌

Congratulations to all the Murray Darling winners who represented our region with excellence on the national stage.

We’re excited to share some highlights from the event and showcase a special line-up of top-scoring wines as ranked by the judges. 🏅

Join us for this very special tasting featuring Murray Darling wines from the show.

📍 Mildura Airport Wine Bar
📅 FRIDAY
⏰ 3:30–5PM

11/11/2025

Thanks for visiting us Clint Drieberg

11/11/2025

Now that the dust has finally settled after the 2025 AAVWS, we are absolutely thrilled to share some huge news.

Last Thursday, Alternative Reality by Max Allen has been awarded the Best New Wine Book sponsored by The University of Adelaide at the Wine Communicators of Australia Inc... and that’s not all.

Max Allen was also named the Wine Communicator of the Year — making him the first person in history to receive this honour twice. (Max first won the industry’s top communication award back in 2018.)

And because he doesn’t do things by halves, Max also took home Trophy for Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column for his piece "Why These Australian Wines Are at Risk of Extinction" in the

These wins, alongside his decades-long commitment to elevating the conversation around Australian wine — always thoughtful, deeply informed, and full of curiosity — made him the standout choice for this year’s overall award.

Want to read it?
You can purchase Alternative Reality here: https://www.aavws.com/the-book-alternative-reality

If you're a retailer, venue or distributor, get in touch — we offer wholesale pricing for trade partners.

Read the full WCA announcement here:
https://winecommunicators.com.au/wca-awards-winners-2025/

Huge congratulations, Max. . We are so proud to have shared this journey with you. And to everyone who has helped contribute to the book, especially Kim Chalmers and Helen Healy - Thank you x.

09/11/2025

That’s a wrap for the 2025 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show!

Big cheers to everyone who makes this show what it is: our growers and makers, judges and stewards, volunteers, supporters and drinkers. You are the energy, the passion, the curiosity. You keep this movement alive and thriving.

This year we celebrated
Exhibitor count: 211
Unique regions: 69
Unique varieties: 98
Bronze medals: 286
Silver medals: 145
Gold medals: 84

What a year. What a community. What a show.

You can view all the results online here:
https://aavws.wineshowpro.com.au/views/public/wineshowresults

See you next year for another round of curiosity, creativity and courage in a glass. 🍷💫

08/11/2025

🏆 Celebrating 25 years of dedication 🏆

Today we honour Helen Healy, whose vision, leadership and unwavering commitment has shaped the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show since its very beginning. As Helen steps back from her role as Show Manager, we recognise her extraordinary contribution to the AAVWS family.

To celebrate her legacy, the 2025 Management Committee is proud to announce a new award in her honour: The Helen Healy Award for Excellence

And the inaugural recipient is…

🌟 Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards 🌟

An outstanding producer whose spirit of curiosity, innovation and excellence reflects everything our show stands for.

Helen, thank you for 25 years of heart, passion and belief in alternative varieties. Your impact will continue to inspire for generations. 💛🍷