Wine industry veteran Pamela Dunsford accepts the Maurice O’Shea Award in 2022. Photo: Supplied.
Industry awards run by Griffith’s oldest winery will continue in 2025, thanks to the support of Calabria Family Wines.
The 148-year-old McWilliam’s Wines had been hosting awards in partnership with South Australia’s Mount Pleasant Wines since the 1990s to recognise excellence and achievement in the industry.
There were fears this wouldn’t continue after McWilliam’s went into administration in 2020 and given the current slump in wine production.
However, the iconic brand was bought by the Calabria family of Griffith in 2021. Sales and marketing director Andrew Calabria said he was determined to build and expand on the history.
“When we purchased the McWilliam company, they had an initiative called the Maurice O’Shea Award, which they started in the 1990s,” he said.
“We wanted to continue this legacy, but also recognise that the McWilliam family did a lot for the industry in terms of innovation.
“So we came up the additional category of McWilliam’s Wines Excellence in Action Award. It’s for a person, company or group who are doing good work that hasn’t been completed yet.”
Andrew’s father Bill Calabria will be a judge for the awards. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Mr Calabria said the industry was currently in a “terrible” state, with many wineries battling for survival. But recognising success remained important.
“When the industry is so unprofitable like it is right now, a lot of these events get called off, as it requires time and funds.
“For us, keeping the awards alive acknowledges the people who are doing a good job or have dedicated their lives to the industry.
“History tells us that the industry has a lot of ups and downs; let’s hope we’re at the bottom now so the only way is up.”
The Calabrias will be supporting the Australian Wine Industry Awards, to be held in July. This continues the partnership between McWilliam’s Wines and Mount Pleasant Wines to present both the Maurice O’Shea Award and McWilliam’s Wines Excellence in Action Award.
This year marks the 35th anniversary since the founding of the Maurice O’Shea Award in 1990 by the McWilliam family to pay homage to Mount Pleasant’s legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Maurice O’Shea Award for its 35th year in 2025. Maurice O’Shea was a man who devoted his efforts to the craft of making exceptional quality Australian wine and this award reflects that sentiment to honour an individual or group making a significant impact on our wonderful industry today,” chief winemaker for Mount Pleasant Wines, Adrian Sparks said.
The Australian Wine Industry Awards, presented by Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s Wines, will take place at the Adelaide Town Hall on 20 July. A very limited number of tickets to the special dinner ceremony will be made available through the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference program, to be announced in March. The names of the winners will be announced that evening and via media release the following day.
Andrew’s father, Bill Calabria, will be one of the award judges.
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