Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show

Name: Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
Address: Mildura, VIC, 3500, AU
Telephone: +61417556821

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Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show

Established in 2001, the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show is more than just a wine show.

Held in Mildura each November, AAVWS champions alternative varieties, creating space to explore how these wines are judged, grown, made, marketed and enjoyed as Australian wine continues to evolve. Not just a forum for wines that fall outside the mainstream, the AAVWS is highly regarded in the Australian Wine Industry and beyond for its commitment to exploring the growing, making, marketing and drinking of these exciting and diverse wines through it's annual program of tasting, social and educational events each year.

02/09/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Kerri Thompson | Judge

Kerri (KT) Thompson has been living and making wine in the Clare Valley for nearly thirty years. After managing the historic Leasingham Wines for eight years, Kerri established her own label KT Wines, in 2006 - now celebrating 20 years. Since 2021, she has also served as contract winemaker and viticultural lead for Skillogalee Estate and is an experienced international winemaker with vintages in France and Italy. Kerri’s winemaking reflects her deep respect for place, her precision in the cellar, and her unwavering commitment to producing wines of authenticity and vitality.

We’re delighted to welcome Kerri to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

01/09/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Kasia Sobiesiak | Judge

Kasia is a wine writer and co-founder of My Wine Adviser, a wine consultancy specialising in award-winning wine list curation, wine brokerage, event wine selections and private cellar services. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Poland and began her hospitality career in Sydney in 2015. Kasia became a Certified Sommelier (CMS) in 2019 and completed the WSET Diploma in Wines with Merit in 2023. She writes for The Wine Front and contributes to industry tastings and judging panels across Australia. In 2024, she was accepted into the prestigious Master of Wine study programme and is currently a Stage Two student.

We’re delighted to welcome Kasia to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

31/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Gabrielle Poy | Judge

Gabrielle Poy is a highly experienced wine professional, educator, judge and buyer, and is a key part of the sales team for leading independent Melbourne wine retailer, Prince Wine Store. She is also a contributor for The Real Review. Prior to the Prince she spent 13 years as wine buyer at another Melbourne hospitality icon, the City Wine Shop. Passionate about education she holds a WSET Diploma. She's also travelled overseas to complete vintages in Italy, Spain and New Zealand - mixing business with pleasure.

We’re delighted to welcome Gabrielle to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

30/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Maddie LeMire | Judge

Born and raised in South Australia, Maddie LeMire is the winemaker at Balnaves of Coonawarra, joining the family just prior to vintage 2025. She studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide. Following her studies, Maddie worked across the Adelaide Hills, Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale, Burgundy and Bordeaux. With experience across both Australian and international regions, Maddie brings a considered and hands-on approach to her role at Balnaves, bringing new layers of elegance and expression while respecting the traditions that have shaped Balnaves of Coonawarra and contributing to the next chapter of the winery’s story

We’re delighted to welcome Maddie to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

29/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Meira Harel | Judge

Meira Harel is a wine and restaurant professional who has managed many of Australia’s top venues.

Originally from Israel, she moved to Melbourne in 2012 and quickly built a reputation as a sommelier and manager of restaurants including The Town Mouse and Daylesford’s famed Lake House.

Recognised as a leading beverage authority in Australia, Harel was named Victorian sommelier of the year by The Age Good Food Guide in 2016 and has judged many national wine and spirit awards. She has also held an advisory position for Sommeliers Australia, written extensively on flavours and food matching with tea, and co-founded hospitality conference GROW Assembly.
Harel relocated to Adelaide in 2019 and soon after became general manager and beverage director of restaurant group ‘Another Kind’ who owend Press Food and Wine, along with Peel Street Restaurant and Leigh Street Wine Room.

In late 2022 she joined the creative team of 'Tasting Australia’ festival in Adelaide and together with fellow curator (and husband..!) Banjo Harris Plane, she has looked after the beverage program and creative planning of the last 4 festivals, including the integration of an ‘Industry Day’ gathering as part of the festival’s program.

In her spare time she is also a mum of three young children, Noah Lenny and Ethan, who make sure to keep her on her toes while she continues to grow her work within the hospitality industry.

We’re delighted to welcome Meira to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

28/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Sophie Carbonneau | Judge

I grew up in Montreal, Canada, where I studied at Université du Québec à Montréal (Degree in Ancient Greek philosophy) and Institut de Tourisme et d'Hotellerie du Québec (WSET diploma). During my studies, I held various sommelier roles and was actively involved with the state monopoly; Société des Alcools du Québec. I arrived in Australia in 2005 for a one-year contract as head sommelier for Taxi Dining Room (who won the Gourmet Traveller Best Wine List award during that year). 19 years, 1 marriage and 2 children later, I am still in Australia. I worked for Bibendum Wine Co for 13 years, 7 or them as their National Sales Manager. I am now National Sales Manager for Deja Vu Wines. Over my 19 years in Australia, I have been lucky enough to travel extensively to wine regions (domestically and abroad), host several wine masterclasses and dinners across a wide varieties of style, producers, regions, etc... and judge a number of wine competitions. In 2025, I became a Len Evans Scholar.

We’re delighted to welcome Sophie to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

27/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Olivia Brenecki | Judge

Currently a winemaker at Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley, we specialise in Riesling but also make a range of styles for our Luccio and also the Pike and Joyce wines from the Adelaide Hills. I enjoy a broad range of wine styles, but also the science, outdoors and the passionate people involved in wine and the community. After graduating the Adelaide program, I vintage hopped then landed in the Adelaide Hills at Shaw and Smith. I was Assistant Winemaker at Alkina, and now winemaking at Pikes. Sangiovese, Fiano and Gruner Veltliner are varieties I love drinking and working with domestically, while enjoying international styles. Very much looking forward to experiencing the range of wines and community in this show for a second year.

We’re delighted to welcome Olivia back to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

26/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Justin Biskup | Judge

Justin has over two decades of experience in the wine and hospitality industry. He has worked with some of Australia’s leading venues, including Vue de monde, Rockpool, Attica, and Jackalope Hotels. Justin is the founder of CARPE VINO, an independent fine wine importing and distribution business. Justin’s work spans wine curation, education, importer collaboration, and private client services.

We’re delighted to welcome Justin to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

25/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Sue Bell | Judge

Sue Bell is the winemaker/owner of Bellwether in Coonawarra. Her winery is in an 1868 stone shearing shed she has lovingly renovated and filled with art, wine and laughter. Sue is a qualified winemaker who strongly believes in wine expressing the country from which it is made, respecting the landscape and the people involved. A highly experienced wine show judge having judged across Australia and internationally. Sue is a previous Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial, ASVO winemaker of the year and finalist for the Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the year. The AAVWS is her favourite show and community!

We’re delighted to welcome Sue back to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

24/08/2026

🍷 MEET THE 2026 AAVWS JUDGES

Next up in our 2026 judging panel — Alex Beckett | Judge

Alex Beckett, originally from the Hunter Valley, has over 15 years of experience in the wine industry, spanning winemaking, viticulture and sales roles at Tyrrell's Family Vineyards, Peppertree Wines, Briar Ridge Vineyard, East End Cellars and Edinburgh Cellars, he is now the Director of Wine at Marnong Estate. He holds a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Adelaide University and is a Stage Two student in the Institute of Masters of Wine program. In 9 years of winemaking, Alex has won over 25 trophies, including the Governor-General's Trophy and Best Chardonnay in Australia. He was awarded Young Achiever of the Year in the Hunter Valley in 2022, following a 2021 Rising Star nomination.

We’re delighted to welcome Alex to the 2026 AAVWS judging panel.

🍷 AAVWS 2026 | Rethinking What Matters
📍 Mildura | 4–7 November 2026

Address

Mildura, VIC
3500

Telephone

+61417556821

Website

https://linktr.ee/aavws

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