Eleven women in the Australian wine industry have received grants to further their professional development, albeit a year later than intended.
In 2018, the Australian Women In Wine (AWIW) Board funded production of a multi-region, premium South Australian shiraz from the 2018 vintage, Hear Me Roar. The wine was created by Sue Hodder, Emma Norbiato, Rebekah Richardson and Corrina Wright (pictured below) and released in the middle of last year. All 400 cases sold-out in under four weeks, with all profits directed to the Hear Me Roar fund for the career advancement of women in the wine industry.
AWIWA founder and chair, Jane Thomson said: “Congratulations to all the recipients. We can’t wait to see what comes from the opportunities this funding brings.
“I also want to thank all the people and businesses who donated their goods and services to bring this wine into existence. And to the four incredible winemakers…It’s drinking beautifully at the moment – so if you were lucky enough to get your hands on any I recommend opening a bottle and raising a glass to the success of women in wine everywhere!”
AWIW received close to 100 applications for the funding which was planned for distribution in April 2020. The successful recipients have now been named:
- Foni Pollit
- Anita Goode
- Sarah McDougall
- Kate Hill
- Stephanie Helm
- Lisa Bray
- Kate Day
- Hilary Mitchell
- Sarah Cecchi
- Kelly Pearson
- Leah Mottin
Many of the applicants who received funding will be doing Advanced Wine Assessment Courses via The Australian Wine Research Institute or seeking out mentoring opportunities.
Given the limitations brought by the pandemic, AWIW made the decision to award funding to recipients whose development opportunities were available at the moment. Obviously those seeking educational travel opportunities were impossible to fulfil.
When applying for the grants, applicants needed to state what they wanted the money for and how much they needed. The grants have been apportioned appropriately.
