July 2024

Entries to the Australian Small Winemakers Show (ASWS) 2024 are now open!

We have an absolute cracker of a show lined up this year. We’re introducing new classes for ‘Petillant Naturel’ and ‘Small Batch’ that will allow more winemakers to demonstrate their specialist skills. It is great to see ‘Petillant Naturel’ get an opportunity to shine. As we’re a small winemakers’ show, ‘small batch’ creates a new opportunity for small winemakers to show a wine that is both commercially available, and very special indeed.

The big news is that this year, we’re introducing State Based Trophies for all of the wine producing states in Australia. We’re really pleased to be that one show that focusses entirely on small winemakers. We honestly believe that Australian Small Winemakers are at the absolute cutting edge of excellence and innovation, and our show provides small winemakers the best opportunity to showcase their wines. It will be great to recognise those winemakers that are at the absolute top of their game, not just nationally, but in each state.

The ASWS will run in October 2024 with three full judging panels. Judging kicks off on 19 October. Our Chair of Judges, Nick Bulleid, will return this year to oversee the judging process. This will be Nick’s final year in the top job, and we are grateful for his extensive experience and the years that he has given to our show. He will lead a team of judges, handpicked from the wine producing regions of Australia, by our Chief Steward, winemaker Peter McGlashan.

The ASWS is a not-for-profit wine show, organised and run by volunteers who live and work in the beautiful Granite Belt cool climate wine growing region. Our team of volunteers have been organising and running the ASWS since 1987. We care about the industry, and the wine, and ensuring that small winemakers continue to have an opportunity to demonstrate their excellence in a great show. We can’t do it without the ongoing support of our fantastic sponsors and the Stanthorpe Agricultural Show Society. We are grateful for their support.

This year we will be holding our Gala Dinner on Friday night 25 October. We hope that this move to the Friday night of the show will provide a greater opportunity for our sponsors and winemakers (from all over Australia) to attend and experience all that the Granite Belt has to offer. Exhibitors tasting and Public Tasting Event will be held on Saturday 26 October (tickets always sell out). We are always pleased to be able to introduce people to wines from across Australia and New Zealand, that they might not see in their local bottle shop. We’re also hoping to also show the Granite Belt to visitors from far and wide. We recommend you get in early and secure your tickets to our fantastic range of events. Don’t miss your opportunity to try something new, that is excellent, and innovative. We’re passionate about the success of small winemakers!  We look forward to your involvement.

Please enter wines using ShowRunner. Entries are open now and close on 1-Oct-2024. Explore our website for more information. Please read the information carefully, and if you can, make the most of the full program of events that make each Australian Small Winemakers Show memorable.  I can’t wait to see your entries and, if I’m lucky, to taste some of your wine.

Cheers

Christopher Doig
ASWS President 2024