From Canberra to New York – local #winechick wins major award

Sarah McDougall from Lake George Winery was crowned Owner-Operator of the Year at a pink carpeted Australian Women in Wine Awards event in New York on Wednesday.

The Australian Women in Wine Awards program is the only awards program of its kind in the world – an event that celebrates talented women in wine and inspires more women to be part of Australia’s wine industry.

“We are extremely proud of Sarah. She is an impressive operator and a strong advocate for our wine region having served for many years on our committee as Secretary and Executive Officer,” said Canberra District Wine Industry Association’s President John Leyshon.

The 2019 awards ceremony were held in New York as part of Wine Australia’s Far From Ordinary USA Aussie Wine Month campaign. The success of the Awards in the USA is a clear sign that Australian #winechicks are integral to the Australian wine story, and that the Canberra District delivers on talent.

“Sarah joins our other Sarah, Sarah Collingwood of Four Winds Vineyard, who took out the title in 2017. It is a massive achievement for our region,” said Mr Leyshon.

It is estimated that the number of women in the Australian wine industry is 8-10%. The representation at a senior level is lower and, in some areas such as viticulture, those numbers are in decline. These awards champion change in gender representation through action – by celebrating the achievements of those women who are the success stories in the Australian grape and wine scene. We can all raise our glasses and cheers to that.