News | Coal Pit Wines

Anika recently participated in the prestigious Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC) run by The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). This intensive, four-day program is designed for experienced wine professionals and aims to elevate their sensory analysis, tasting skills, and wine judging abilities.

Founded in 1992, AWAC is renowned for its exclusivity and high demand, with places allocated through a ballot system. The course is led by a team of Australia’s top wine judges, sommeliers, and winemakers, offering participants a unique opportunity to refine their expertise in evaluating wines at an elite level.

For Anika, AWAC was a transformative experience. The course challenged her to sharpen her ability to assess wine with precision, honing her skills in identifying nuances of structure, balance, and texture. "The level of critical analysis required pushed me to think more deeply about each wine," Anika explains. "It’s not just about tasting but understanding a wine’s complete profile and understanding it's place in the broader context of the wine world. 

One of the key takeaways for Anika was reaffirming her confidence in the wine judging system. The course provided a clear framework for assessing wines, helping her understand the objectivity behind the judging process. "It reinforced my belief in the integrity of wine shows," she says. "Judging is grounded in rigorous sensory analysis, and that gave me confidence in the system."

Returning from the course, Anika feels more equipped to refine her own winemaking at Coal Pit. The insights gained from AWAC have sharpened her ability to evaluate her wines critically and make more informed decisions in the vineyard and winery. "I’m more confident in assessing how our wines evolve and in adjusting my approach based on what I’ve learned," she reflects.

Anika’s participation in AWAC has deepened her understanding of the New Zealand wine landscape and strengthened her skills as a winemaker. The ability to more finely tune her sensory analysis is a valuable asset, and Anika is excited to apply this heightened level of scrutiny to the future wines produced at Coal Pit.