The ANZ Boutique Wine Show
will proceed in 2020

To all our valued boutique wineries, judges, stewards, volunteers and supporters of the ANZ Boutique Wine Show,

I wanted to provide you with an update on our position and intentions for 2020 in light of COVID-19. These are challenging and uncertain times for everyone and like all organisations across Australia, we are still coming to terms with the impact of the unprecedented situation brought about by the coronavirus.

With the widespread cancellation or postponement of more than 60% of domestic wine shows & competitions in both Australia & New Zealand, questions have inevitably been asked about the ANZ Boutique Wine Show and whether it will go ahead in 2020.

We are of course very well aware that under current conditions, it would be impossible for the event to go ahead as in previous years with a judging panel from across Australia & New Zealand participating. However, we intend to proceed with the ANZ Boutique Wine Show 2020 and are currently exploring a number of ways in which impartial, blind tastings merged with our custom built software can proceed and continue to deliver results that support all participating wineries this year – one of the toughest on record! Entries will open on 1 June 2020.

We have reserved a range of potential judging dates in November 2020 and will attempt to continue holding these dates to allow us flexibility to move in these uncertain times. We will continue to keep you informed as we determine the next steps. In the event that we are restricted or unable to proceed safely with judging in November, entries will remain in out climate controlled warehouse in Sydney and made available for judging at the first opportunity thereafter.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and encourage you to reach out directly if there is anything that we can assist you with over these difficult times. We will continue to update you on how we intend to proceed as information and viable solutions become available.

Yours sincerely

Ross Anderson
Director – ANZ Boutique Wine Show