2020 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards to go ahead as planned

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is pleased to confirm that the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards will be held in 2020 with entries now open. 

Conducted by RASV for more than 135 years, the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards (RMWA) is Australia’s premier wine event, built on a longstanding tradition of celebrating excellence and innovation in Australian winemaking. 

The judging of Australia’s best wines will occur over five days from 5-9 October, at Melbourne Showgrounds.  

 

RASV CEO, Brad Jenkins, is excited to confirm that the Wine Awards will be conducted in October 2020, in a year that many events have been forced to reschedule or postpone.  

“With so much uncertainty for businesses throughout 2020, we are delighted that the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards will continue its longstanding tradition as Australia’s premier wine event,” said Mr Jenkins.  

Recognising that 2020 has been a challenging year for the wine industry with devastating bushfires, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacting many people and businesses, the RASV is offering discounted entries to early bird exhibitors.   

“The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria understands these are challenging times for the wine industry and with the announcement that entries open today we are offering a 10% saving on entries received by Monday 15 July,” said Mr Jenkins.  

“The health and safety of all those involved as well as the integrity of the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards are critical elements of the 2020 program. We are constantly monitoring the government health regulations regarding COVID-19 and will follow the recommended guidelines available at the time,” Mr Jenkins concluded.   

The RMWA presents wine-makers large and small with the chance to enter their products and have them benchmarked by industry experts with a full marketing kit supplied to medal winners to assist them in sharing their success with the world.  

RMWA competition manager, Kirsten Stubbings, encouraged wine makers to take advantage of the comprehensive feedback on offer and have the opportunity to win some of Australia’s most prestigious wine awards. 

"Last year we improved our judging process to increase the judges' feedback supplied to all Royal Melbourne Wine Awards exhibitors. For every wine entered, exhibitors will receive detailed comments from up to three judges.” said Ms Stubbings.     

“We are pleased to be able to proceed with the 2020 Royal Melbourne Wine awards and are excited to award Australia’s most sought after wine trophy, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red Wine.”  

“Winning the ‘Jimmy’ is a life goal for every Australian winemaker and has the potential to transform a business and generate fantastic sales,” concluded Ms Stubbings.  

All trophies are set to be awarded at the Virtual Award Presentation, streamed live from Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday 22 October. 

The Royal Melbourne Wine Awards are open for entry until Friday 14 August – for all details on how to enter head to rasv.com.au/wine. 

 

KEY DATES 

Entries Close: until Friday 14 August  

Judging: Monday 5 to Friday 9 October 

Virtual Awards Presentation: 22 October   

Stay up to date with the latest developments and engage with RMWA on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #MelbWineAwards 

 

For all media enquiries, photo opportunities and interviews, please contact: 

Grant Coverdale, Communications Manager 

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria  

grant.coverdale@rasv.com.au | 0427 015 552