The Young Gun of Wine winners have been announced after the awards ceremony was held at MONA in Hobart.
Now in its 12th year, the program revolves around celebrating young winemakers and new labels.
The Riedel Young Gun of Wine award for 2018 went to Rob Mack from Aphelion in McLaren Vale, South Australia.
People’s Choice was awarded to Melanie Chester from Sutton Grange Winery in Bendigo, Victoria, after two tasting events in Melbourne and Sydney.
Gilli and Paul Lipscombe from Sailor Seeks Horse in the Huon Valley, Tasmania, took out the Classic Oak Producers Wine Maker’s Choice award voted on by the final 12 winemakers.
The Ootra Best New Act title was given to Jonathan Hughes from Mewstone, Tasmania, and the First Drop Danger Zone award bestowed upon the “most adventurous wine” — 2017 Lark Hill Gruner Veltliner by Chris Carpenter from Canberra.
The Ocean Eight Wineslinger award was decided upon by over 100 sommeliers, winemakers and industry leaders and went to City Wine Shop in Melbourne.
Harvest Newrybar near Byron bay took out the Innocent Bystander People’s Choice Wineslinger title as voted by the Australian public.
“It looks like the keyword from 2018 is ‘approachability’,” says Rory Kent, founder of Young Gun of Wine.
“Winemakers are breaking ground with new varieties, and exploring new techniques, all in the search of more delicious wines made from our climate and for our palates.”