Over seventy wines from forty-five wineries around Victoria will provide wine lovers with a chance to rub shoulders with the winemakers and enjoy the very best Victorian wines of the 2009 / 2010 season at Fed Square.

Set in the stunning Atrium, the Fed Square Wine Awards are a culmination of the regular Fed Square Wine Showcases, which feature a different Victorian wine region each month. 

These Awards showcase finalists who were awarded gold and/or silver medals during the past year with the winners being announced at a special presentation in the BMW Edge on 4 August from 8.00pm, following the public showcase.

Federation Square established the monthly Fed Square Wine Showcase and Annual Awards in 2004 as an initiative aimed at providing regional wineries with an opportunity to promote their wines in a central city location. In the last seven years, more than 70 Wine Showcases have been held, with in excess of 50,000 people attending and 1420 wineries exhibiting.

Last year (September 2008 - August 2009) 564 wines were entered for judging throughout the year and 150 were eligible to be re-submitted for the Annual Awards.

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to discover the State's finest drops in the heart of the city at Fed Square. Guests will also enjoy signature tastings from participating cafes and restaurants and the smooth sounds of a live jazz band.

The Fed Square Wine Awards are proudly supported by Regional Development Victoria.

Dates: Wednesday 4 August, 4.00pm - 8.00pm, Thursday 5 August, 4.30pm - 8.30pm

Location: The Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne

Cost: $25, including a signature dish from participating restaurants & cafes (+$2 glass deposit)

Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster: 136 100 / www.ticketmaster.com.au or at the door

About the Victoria Wine Industry

The wine manufacturing industry is Victoria's fifth largest food sector, directly employing over 2,600 people in grape growing and winemaking. The industry is identifiable in 21 regions across the state of Victoria which provides suitable conditions for a wide variety of wines that excel international standards.

The Victorian wine industry has an annual turnover of about $1.3 billion, approximately 25% of national wine industry turnover.