2024 Victorian Wine Show

The Victorian Wine Show is an annual event celebrating the finest wines produced across Victoria’s diverse wine regions. It brings together industry leaders, winemakers, and enthusiasts to taste, celebrate, and benchmark Victorian top wines.

This year, all entries were evaluated by a panel of expert judges, and feedback will be provided alongside the show's results. Winners will gain prestigious industry recognition and valuable exposure within the wine community.

Meet the Judges

The Victorian Wine Show prides itself on assembling a panel of esteemed judges who are industry leaders and respected figures in the wine world. Our judges bring extensive expertise, with backgrounds in renowned wineries, wine education, and international wine competitions. Their discerning palates and wealth of experience ensure that each wine is evaluated with precision and integrity, making their feedback invaluable. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a lineup of judges who are ready to discover and celebrate the best wines Victoria has to offer.

Chief Judge

Simon Osicka

Chief Winemaker - Paul Osicka Wines

Simon Osicka is Owner and Winemaker of the third-generation Heathcote winery, Paul Osicka Wines. Simon graduated with First Class Honours in Oenology and rose to senior red winemaker for Hardys having worked with Leasingham in the Clare Valley, Houghton in Margaret River, and Domaine JL Chave in northern Rhône as well as vintages in Germany, Italy and Canada. Simon has completed the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment course, is a former Len Evans Scholar and has judged several wine shows.

International Judge

Jennifer Docherty, MW
Hong Kong-based wine writer

The first ethnically Chinese and Mandarin-speaking Master of Wine, Jennifer Docherty has 16 years of experience in buying, sales, and fine wine trading in the UK, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Jennifer works to promote wineries to importers in Hong Kong and mainland China, she also guest lectures at Hong Kong PolyU and judges for major wine competitions across the world. In addition to her MW, Jennifer also holds the SSI Master of Sake and recently earned a master’s in applied neuroscience from King’s College London.

Panel Chair

Sarah Crowe
Chief Winemaker - Yarra Yering

Sarah Crowe is the Chief Winemaker at Yarra Yering, one of Australia's most prestigious wineries. With over a decade of experience, Sarah has garnered numerous awards, including Winemaker of the Year. She began her wine journey at Brokenwood, transitioning from horticulture to winemaking. Sarah holds a degree in viticulture from Charles Sturt University and has extensive experience as a wine show judge. Sarah oversees the production of exceptional wines, including the top-scoring 2022 Chardonnay, reflecting her commitment to quality and innovation.

Panel Chair

Josh Cooper

Owner/Winemaker - Josh Cooper Wines

Josh Cooper is a rising star in Australian winemaking. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Josh has judged at several wine shows and was a scholar at the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2019. Elevated to a full judge at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards in 2019 and 2020, Josh’s expertise is well-recognized. Winner of Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Young Winemaker of the Year 2020, Josh focuses on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. His dedication to quality and innovation makes him an influential figure among the next generation of winemakers.

Panel Chair

Sarah Fagan
Winemaker - Tarrawarra

Sarah Fagan is the Winemaker at TarraWarra Estate, bringing twenty years of experience and a deep love for the Yarra Valley. She began her career at De Bortoli Yarra Valley in 2003, progressing to Senior Winemaker. Sarah is known for her hands-on vineyard approach and cool-climate winemaking expertise, honed through experiences in Italy, Germany, and the US. An experienced wine judge, Sarah's refined palate and dedication to quality and innovation drive TarraWarra Estate’s wines to new heights.