Oliver’s 2025 Australian Alternative Varietals Wine Show Success
The Alternative Varietals Wine Show (AAVWS) has always been particularly special to the Oliver’s Taranga team. Whilst the Australian wine show system does a wonderful job in benchmarking wines to improve quality and styles, there’s something particularly special about the nature of this show. It feels more like a family of like-minded wineries who continue to push boundaries and are willing to test and trial new frontiers – a true celebration of innovation.
It started with local roots and a vision for change. In 1999, chef Stefano de Pieri and Bruce Chalmers, along with Dr Rod Bonfiglioli, initiated the Sangiovese Awards, which continued in 2000 with the Australian Italian Wine Show. Following the success of these shows, the first Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show was held in Mildura in November 2001. Now the AAVWS has become one of the most dynamic wine shows in the country.
As Deputy Mayor of Mildura Rural City Council, Helen Healy, noted: “The AAVWS continues to showcase the creativity and diversity of the wine industry, highlighting varieties and styles that challenge traditions, consider place and promote knowledge sharing.” The selection of wines being judged are often made by families who are prepared to innovate, take a risk and try new styles and varietals not commonly found in Australia. The wines are noted as alternative, not because they lack pedigree, but rather because they are relatively new to the Australian scene and remain small in their plantings.
This year represented the 25th anniversary of the show. As President of the show committee for the last 5 years, Corrina doesn’t participate in the judging, instead championing the stories with media, show sponsors and guests who flew to Mildura. This year, the show saw 789 entries from 69 regions, spanning 211 exhibitors. After three days of judging, a 200 strong cohort of the wine community gathered from across Australia on Saturday at the Show Lunch to pay tribute to the wines that this year were deemed the best of the best.
Chief Judge Leanne Altmann, who also is the Beverage Director of Trader House, noted that the judges were looking for “quality, interest and excitement. Wines that have the X factor and interest.” The top wine in each bracket is awarded the trophy. Highlights included a huge amount of Fiano (over 70 producers), with Leanne noting that consumers in her venues are asking for the varietal more than they ever have before. Let the Fiano festa momentum continue to grow.
International Guest Judge Stephen Wong MW noted how uncommon it is to see this diversity of wine styles in a show. The trophy judging highlighted truly balanced wines. “Here you’ll see a pioneering spirit. Wineries that are broadminded. Everyone here is quite lucky to be part of this journey. You are doing really important work.”
We are thrilled to announce that in the 2025 AAVWS, Oliver’s Taranga has been awarded:
🏆 The inaugural Helen Healy Award for Excellence – “An outstanding producer whose spirit of curiosity, innovation and excellence reflects everything our show stands for.” This award goes to the best exhibitor in the show determined by the number of medals received. Oliver’s Taranga won this award by 1 point.
🏆 Trophy for Best Blend – 2025 Brionis Blend
🏆 Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine – 2017 The Hunt for Mrs Oliver LD Méthode Traditionnelle Fiano
🥇 Gold Medal – 2025 Mencia
🥇 Gold Medal – 2017 The Hunt for Mrs Oliver LD Méthode Traditionnelle Fiano
🥇 Gold Medal – 2025 Brionis Blend
🥈 Silver Medal – 2025 Vermentino
🥈 Silver Medal – 2025 Falanghina
🥈 Silver Medal – Wines of Provenance- 2015, 2021 & 2025 Fiano
In accepting the Inaugural Helen Healy Award for Excellence, Corrina acknowledged: “This was a particularly special one (hence the happy tears). Helen is such a huge inspiration in the way that she builds community with so much care, energy and passion. To win this first award in her name to celebrate her 25 years of tireless contribution to the Alternative Varietals Wine Show is an incredible honour.”
Congratulations are also extended to Hahndorf Hill for being awarded Best White Wine and receiving the Dr Rod Bonfiglioli Best Wine of Show for the 2024 Gru, Orbis Wines for Best Red Wine for the 2024 Nero d’Avola, and to Crittenden Estate for picking up the Wine of Provenance Trophy for the Cri de Coeur Savagnin ‘Sous Voile’. The Viticulture Award was won by Jeff Flint of Wangolina for their outstanding contribution to viticulture. Chalmers was awarded the International Judge’s Wine to Watch for the 2025 Mother Block Skin Contact wine. The full results can be found here: https://aavws.wineshowpro.com.au/views/public/wineshowresults?showId=45
This is an exciting space and one that we’ll continue to champion. Enjoy these new styles and give them a try with the knowledge that much thought, time and nurturing has gone into bringing you the wines that you can proudly serve on your table. Well done to the whole team on such exceptional results. We could not be more thrilled. Go on and discover these wines for yourself – Cheers!