This year, the 12 finalists of the 12th annual FINAL 12 awards are made up of three winemakers from Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia, two hailing from Victoria, and one from NSW/ACT, with eight of the 12 finalists gracing this list for the first time:

NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT
Hamish Young from Mada Wines, Canberra District

VICTORIA
Sean Crinion from Dappled Wines, Yarra Valley
Melanie Chester from Sutton Grange Winery, Bendigo

TASMANIA
Jonathan Hughes from Mewstone, D’Entrecasteaux Channel (Flowerpot)
Ricky Evans from Two Tonne Tasmania, Tamar Valley
Gilli and Paul Lipscombe from Sailor Seeks Horse, Huon Valley

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Damon Koerner from Koerner Wine, Clare Valley
David Geyer from David Geyer, Barossa Valley
Rob Mack from Aphelion, McLaren Vale

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Kate Morgan from Ipso Facto Wines, Margaret River
Yoko & Andries Mostert from Brave New Wine, Great Southern
Nicolas Peterkin from L.A.S Vino, Margaret River

The awards are to be presented at MONA, Hobart, on Monday 18th June, during the gallery’s popular winter festival Dark MOFO. To find out more, click HERE