De Bortoli Wines’ Senior Winemaker and the creator of the company’s famous Noble One dessert wine has been shortlisted for Sweet Winemaker of the Year at the 2016 International Wine Challenge in London. These awards are considered to be the “Oscars of the Wine Trade” and finalists will be announced at a special event on 7 July.

Julie Mortlock, who is based at De Bortoli’s Bilbul Estate in the Riverina, is the only Australian woman to have been shortlisted and one of only three females to have been nominated at the awards. Her shortlisting not only recognises her legendary creation of Australia’s most famous sweet white wine, but also her success with wines in a number of categories at IWC. Most notably was Mortlock’s win with Black Noble, which received the New South Wales Fortified Semillon Trophy this year.

“Julie’s winemaking prowess plays a key role in building our international profile and helping us to capitalise on growing global demand for high quality Australian wine,” Executive Director and third generation family member at De Bortoli Wines, Victor De Bortoli said. “Of all the international wine awards, the International Wine Challenge is the one where you want recognition. It is so well known globally, especially by the UK supermarkets where we want to grow our sales and market share.”

As well as being up for Sweet Winemaker of the Year, Black Noble as a trophy winning wine could also go on to win a Champion Trophy at the awards presentation in July.