2024 Victorian Wine Show

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

All wines entered will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges, and feedback will be included along with the show's results. Winners enjoy industry recognition, and in 2023, the Victorian Wine Show sponsored the International Judges Award winner to travel to Japan to connect with distributors and promote their wines in this key international market.

ENTER THE SHOW

DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE

KEY DATES

Entries open
1 August

Samples due by
11 October

Entries close
6 September

Judging
29 - 31 October

Labels sent by
25 September

Presentation lunch
14 November

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.

Judge

Matt Harrop

Chief Winemaker - Fowles Wine

Matt Harrop is the Chief Winemaker at Fowles Wines in Central Victoria. He graduated with a Wine Science degree from Roseworthy College, Adelaide University, in 1991. Matt has extensive experience, having worked at Rothbury, Grosset, Brokenwood, Nautilus, and Shadowfax. He attended the Len Evans Tutorial in 2003 and has judged at numerous regional and capital city wine shows, serving as Chair of Judges at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards from 2018 to 2021.

Judge

Rohan Smith
Chief Winemaker - Medhurst

Rohan Smith is the Chief Winemaker at Medhurst in the Yarra Valley, known for his strong belief in sustainability and passion for soil and vines. Transitioning from a successful career as a classical musician, Rohan pursued winemaking, earning a Bachelor of Wine Science from Charles Sturt University, graduating as Dux with a University Medal. With extensive experience across the Mornington Peninsula, he brings his expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Medhurst. Rohan judges at several prestigious wine shows, including the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, Yarra Valley, Gippsland, and Macedon Wine Shows.

Judge

Luke Lomax
Winemaker - Yabby Lake

Luke is a winemaker at Yabby Lake / Heathcote Estate based on the Mornington Peninsula where he has worked for the past 18 years. He also runs his family-owned businesses, Devil's Cave Vineyard and barrel racking business, Devil's Racks, based in Heathcote. Luke studied at Charles Sturt University, completing a bachelor's degree in wine science in 2008. He completed the advanced wine assessment course (AWAC) in 2012 as well as completing several vintages overseas in Burgundy, Northern Rhone and New Zealand. He also has been a keen judge at regional and capital city shows over the past 12 years.

Judge

Genevieve Mann
Chief Winemaker - Corymbia

Genevieve Mann is a distinguished winemaker at Corymbia, known for her commitment to both tradition and innovation in winemaking. While her husband, Rob Mann, hails from a storied lineage in Australian wine, Genevieve brings her own rich background, having worked in South Africa, France, and California before becoming a winemaker at Howard Park in 2007. At Corymbia, founded in 2013, Genevieve focuses on crafting wines that echo classic Swan Valley styles and her expertise and dedication ensure Corymbia’s wines honour the past while looking to the future.

Judge

Tim Perrin
Winemaker - Kooyong/Port Phillip Estate

Tim is currently the Chief Winemaker for Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Prior to this role, Tim spent seven years as a senior winemaker for Oakridge in the Yarra Valley. He has been a winemaker since 2007 and has a wide array of both commercial and premium winemaking experience. Tim has been a judge at both regional and capital city wine shows since 2012. He was named dux of AWAC in 2016 and was a scholar at the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2019

2024 Victorian Wine Show

KEY DATES

Entries open 1 August

Samples due by 11 October

Entries close 6 September

Judging 29 - 31 October

Labels sent by 25 September

Presentation lunch 14 November

Meet the Judges

Chief Judge

International Judge

Panel Chair

Panel Chair

Panel Chair

Judge

Judge

Judge

Judge

Judge

Contact us

Entries open
1 August

Samples due by
11 October

Entries close
6 September

Judging
29 - 31 October

Labels sent by
25 September

Presentation lunch
14 November