2026 Wine Industry Impact Awards
Unlike many wine industry awards that focus on individuals, wine brands or regional wine shows, the Wine Industry Impact Awards (WIIA) recognise the businesses, collaborations and innovations driving measurable progress across the Australian wine value chain.
WIIA exists to celebrate the ideas, technologies, partnerships and solutions improving the capability, competitiveness and future sustainability of Australia’s grape and wine sector.
Open exclusively to Wine Industry Suppliers Australia (WISA) members, the awards provide a platform to showcase practical innovation, collaboration and real-world industry impact across the Australian wine value chain.
The program is designed not only to recognise excellence, but to inspire adoption, collaboration and industry-wide improvement.
Further details regarding sponsors and judging panels will be announced soon.
Who Should Enter?
WIIA is open to WISA member businesses including wine industry suppliers, service providers, wineries, researchers, technology businesses, logistics operators, packaging companies, consultants, collaborative projects and industry partnerships delivering measurable impact across the wine value chain.
If your business, product, initiative or collaboration has improved outcomes for the Australian wine industry, we encourage you to submit an entry.
Please note: Entry into the Wine Industry Impact Awards is exclusive to current WISA members.
Not currently a member? Join WISA here.
Why Participate?
Participating in the Wine Industry Impact Awards provides a valuable opportunity to position your business and solutions in front of the broader wine industry.
Award finalists and winners receive exposure through:
- WISA communications reaching more than 2,000 industry newsletter subscribers
- WISA’s LinkedIn community of more than 5,500 followers
- The Wine Industry Impact Awards Gala Dinner attended by more than 200 wine industry leaders and decision-makers
More importantly, the awards highlight solutions that are actively strengthening the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of Australian grape and wine businesses.
The submission process itself is also a worthwhile exercise — providing an opportunity to:
- reflect on achievements and outcomes
- align teams around innovation and progress
- articulate the value your business delivers to the industry
- build credibility with customers and industry stakeholders
Many award-winning projects continue to gain visibility beyond the awards program through industry discussion, case studies and future WISA summit content.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Entries Open | 11 May 2026 |
| Entries Close | 29 August 2026 |
| Judging Complete | September 2026 |
| WIIA Gala Dinner & Awards Night | Thursday 19 November 2026 – Adelaide, South Australia |
Please click here to view the Terms & Conditions of Entry.
Entry Fee: $150 incl. GST per nomination.
Your Submission
WIIA submissions consist of three parts:
1. Online Entry Form
Complete the online form including:
- contact details
- award category
- any collaborating or co-submitting businesses
2. Elevator Pitch
Provide a concise summary of:
- what you are submitting
- the problem or opportunity addressed
- why the solution is compelling
- the impact created
- why it matters to the Australian wine industry
3. Supporting Documentation
Upload supporting material outlining your project, initiative or solution.
Your submission may include:
- overview and background
- the industry challenge or problem
- the solution implemented
- evidence, outcomes and results
- measurable industry impact
- supporting materials such as:
- customer testimonials
- case studies or trial data
- photography or visuals
- technical documentation
- additional proof of outcomes
Judging
Each submission is independently assessed by an industry judging panel.
Judges consider factors including:
- industry relevance
- measurable outcomes (Impact)
- innovation
- commercial practicality
- scalability
- overall contribution to the wine sector
Submissions are scored across three key areas:
1. Relevance
Why is this important right now?
This criterion evaluates how effectively the solution addresses a current challenge or opportunity within the wine industry.
Judges may consider:
- Does it solve a pressing industry issue?
- Is the timing particularly relevant to current market conditions?
- Does it respond to changing consumer, operational or sustainability demands?
- Does it address a clearly identified industry need?
2. Impact
Who benefits and how?
This criterion assesses the measurable outcomes and value delivered through the initiative.
Judges may consider:
- Does it improve profitability, productivity or efficiency?
- Does it enhance wine quality, sustainability or operational performance?
- Does it improve customer engagement, market access or business resilience?
- Has it delivered meaningful outcomes for industry stakeholders?
3. Innovation
What makes this different?
This criterion evaluates originality, creativity and the practical application of new ideas.
Judges may consider:
- How does the solution differ from existing approaches?
- Does it introduce new technologies, processes or capabilities?
- Has it created tangible commercial or operational benefits?
- Is the innovation scalable or transferable across the industry?
About the Gala Dinner
The Wine Industry Impact Awards Gala Dinner brings together suppliers, wineries, industry leaders and innovators from across the Australian wine sector for an evening celebrating collaboration, progress and practical innovation.
The event is designed to recognise the businesses and partnerships helping shape a stronger, more competitive and future-focused wine industry.
Further event details and ticket information will be announced soon.
