Connew named winemaker of the year

Samantha Connew (above) added to a growing number of honours won by members of the wine industry in Tasmania in 2025 when she was named ASVO Winemaker of the Year.

The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) this week named the winners of its 2025 Awards for Excellence, including ‘Winemaker of the Year’, ‘Viticulturist of the Year’, ‘Wine Science and Technology Award’ and the new ‘Emerging Talent Award’.

Connew, vigneron/owner of Stargazer in the Coal River Valley, north of Hobart, was "recognised for her huge commitment to volunteering her time and expertise back to the industry, particularly to reward excellence in others".

She was was the youngest judge and first woman to serve as chair of judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show and is the current Chair of Judges at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. She serves as a tutor and on the Board of the Len Evans Tutorial and has previously served on the board of Wine Tasmania and the advisory board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards.

“This has been a challenging year for me personally and professionally (as it is for so many in the wine industry right now) so to be awarded this accolade by my peers is a timely reminder of why we do what we do despite the obstacles, and what a great industry this is to be a part of, and how I’m fortunate to be able to contribute,” Connew said.

Connew earlier this month opened the new Stargazer vineyard tasting room.

Viticulturist of the Year was Steve Faulkner, currently senior viticulturist for Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley, while the Wine Science & Technology Award went to Kerry Wilkinson, Professor of Oenology at the University of Adelaide.

Maggie Jarrett, originator of the concept of the Rootlings wine industry youth network in NSW, was the recipient of the new Emerging Talent Award. She works for SeeSaw Wines.

Image: Adam Gibson

Breaking news: Winemaker of the Year named

Adam Wadewitz, who makes wines for Shaw + Smith, Tolpuddle and MMAD, has been named Winemaker of the Year 2022 by The Wine Magazine.

Wadewitz has spent the last 10 vintages as chief winemaker at Shaw + Smith in the Adelaide Hills, and Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley in Tasmania.

More recently, he has also made the MMAD Vineyard wines from Blewitt Springs.

Wadewitz’s first job was at Wirra Wirra before working vintages in the Napa Valley and then in the Jura in eastern France.

Back home, he spent time at Brokenwood in the Hunter Valley before completing his winemaking degree at Adelaide University.

Adam worked in Great Western from vintages 2006 to 2012, making the 2012 Jimmy Watson-winning Best’s Bin 1 Shiraz 2011 before moving back to his home state to work with Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW at Shaw + Smith in 2013.

He was dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in 2009 and is a respected wine show judge.

Wadewitz is now chief winemaker and joint-CEO of Shaw + Smith, having adding single vineyard wines to the range and overseen significant changes in farming practices including the move to more organic practices and certification.

Michael Hill Smith MW said: “Adam is a natural leader and deep thinker - a once-in-a-generation winemaker at the height of his powers.”

Peter Forrestal, chairman of judges, said: “Adam Wadewitz is collaborative, charismatic, supremely talented and at the top of his game. He has led a strong team at Shaw + Smith to undreamt of heights with the Adelaide Hills collection and revitalised an ancient Blewitt Springs vineyard with unique chenin, shiraz and grenache under the MMAD label.

@Ten vintages of the Tolpuddle wines has been enough to earn them a place in the top echelons of Australian wine, making them essential elements of any great Aussie wine list: iconic status awaits.”

Nadja Wallington of ChaLou was named as inspirational Young Winemaker of the Year, while . Viticulturist of the Year was awarded to Liz Riley of the Hunter Valley.

Dr Andrew Pirie AM of of Apogee in Tasmania was recognised for his tireless work for the wine industry, winning the Len Evans Award for Leadership.