The 2016 finalists of the Retail Liquor Industry Awards for Excellence have been announced this week ahead of the presentation dinner on Friday 18 November. The annual program, now in its 20th year, acknowledges the year-round efforts of those working in the retail liquor industry.
According to Executive Director of the Liquor Stores Association (LSA), Michael Waters, the awards received an unprecedented number of nominations across all categories this year.
“On behalf of the Association, I take this opportunity to congratulate all our awards finalists,” Mr. Waters said. “It’s great to see a number of fresh faces, across both retailer and supplier categories, make the cut this year.”
Finalists were selected from nominations and a mystery shopper process.
Up for New Liquor Store of the Year, this year are Cellarbrations North Ryde, Chambers Cellars Clovelly, Chambers Cellars McMahon’s Point (Wines by Josh), Cutty Cellars Crows Nest and Oldfield Cellars.
Liquor Store Owner of the Year finalists include: Dan Mackie, The Bottle-O Hazelbrook/Cellarbrations Lawson; Paul Cains, Urban Cellars Curtin/Prohibition the Bottleshop; Richard Kelsey & Geoff Huens, Beer Cartel; Ross Rocca, Midway Cellars; and Steve Ververis, Liquor Emporium Group.
For the first time this year, the National Online Retailers Association (NORA) will judge the Online Liquor Store of the Year award category. NORA joins the awards following its recent partnership with LSA.
Mr. Waters said, “The partnership signifies an important alliance for both organisations, and as the online liquor retailing segment continues to grow, so does this category of LSA’s membership, therefore we look forward to working with NORA to continue to deliver improved service and value for our members and stakeholders.”
Tickets are currently available for the Awards Presentation Dinner, LSA’s largest networking event of the year. The Dinner will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Tickets can be purchased online via www.lsansw.com.au/events or by contacting the LSA office – substantial discounts are available for members and awards finalists.
“Our annual Awards Dinner continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to the support of our members and industry stakeholders, and I encourage those who have not previously attended to make the effort to come along, be proud and acknowledge the achievements of the people and companies in our industry, and enjoy delicious food, excellent beverages, fantastic entertainment and most importantly, great company,” Waters added.
A full list of the finalists can be seen below.
Top 50 Liquor Stores:
ALDI Vincentia
Amato’s Liquor Mart
Beer Cartel
Billabong Bottleshop
Bondi Beach Cellars
BottlO’Briens
BWS Bateau Bay
BWS Ettalong
Cellarbrations Adamstown
Cellarbrations Cammeray
Cellarbrations Gunnedah
Cellarbrations Lane Cove
Cellarbrations Stockland Baulkham Hills
Cellarbrations Tamworth
Cellarbrations Wadalba
Cellarbrations Warilla
Chambers Cellars Avalon
Chambers Cellars Bronte
Chambers Cellars Emu Plains
Chambers Cellars Greystanes
Chambers Cellars Pymble
Corkscrew Cellars Malabar
Dan Murphy’s Bega
Dan Murphy’s Kotara
Dan Murphy’s North Wollongong
Express Liquor Newcastle
Gosford Drive Thru
Greystanes Cellars
Lighthouse Cellars
Liquor Emporium Hurlstone Park
Liquor Legends Charnwood
Old Bar Cellars
Pittwater Cellars
Porter’s Liquor Balgowlah
Porter’s Liquor Bexley
Porter’s Liquor Hornsby Heights
Porter’s Liquor Oatlands
Porter’s Liquor Pyrmont
Porter’s Liquor Ryde/Midway Cellars
Red Bottle Alexandria
Red Bottle Elizabeth Street
Red Bottle Sussex Street
Teralba Bottleshop
The Bottle-O Gunnedah
The Bottle-O Hazelbrook
The Bottle-O Lambton
The Bottle-O North Haven
The Bottle-O Taree West
The Bottle-O Wickham
Vine, Providore of Fine Wine
New Liquor Store of the Year:
Cellarbrations North Ryde
Chambers Cellars Clovelly
Chambers Cellars McMahon’s Point (Wines by Josh)
Cutty Cellars Crows Nest
Oldfield Cellars
Online Liquor Store of the Year:
www.beercartel.com.au
www.camperdowncellars.com.au
www.danmurphys.com.au
www.grays.com.au
www.liquoremporium.com.au
www.shortysliquor.com.au
www.winesociety.com.au
www.vinomofo.com
Liquor Store Owner of the Year:
Dan Mackie, The Bottle-O Hazelbrook | Cellarbrations Lawson
Paul Cains, Urban Cellars Curtin | Prohibition the Bottleshop
Richard Kelsey & Geoff Huens, Beer Cartel
Ross Rocca, Midway Cellars
Steve Ververis, Liquor Emporium Group
Liquor Store Manager of the Year:
Benjamin Abraham, Cellarbrations Warilla
Bradley Ward, Dan Murphy’s Double Bay
Gary Metters, Corkscrew Cellars Sylvania Waters
Hayley Pye, BWS Charnwood
Jack Roberts, Prohibition the Bottleshop
Joseph Sime, Liquor Emporium Hurlstone Park
Simon Mackie, Cellarbrations Lawson
Steve Nicholl, Chambers Cellars Greenwich
Steven Dinnell, Midway Cellars
Excellence in Innovation:
Cellarbrations Warilla
Cutty Cellars Crows Nest
Elizabeth Bay Cellars
Liquor Legends Charnwood
Oldfield Cellars
