Australian companies have made a splash at the World Alcohol-Free Awards in London, with strong performances from Edenvale Wines and Lyre’s Spirits Company.
Held this year in London from 3-4 March, WAFA is an international competition recognising the best of alcohol-free beverages, including wines, spirits, beers, and mixers. Judged by a panel of 30 beverage experts, it celebrates quality and innovation in the growing alcohol-free market.
12 Australian companies received accolades this year, including six Gold medals – with Edenvale Wines and Lyre’s Spirits Company each receiving three.
Leading Australian alcohol-removed wine brand Edenvale took out the Best Wine trophy for 2024, for its Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz. The trophies were awarded after a re-tasting of gold medal recipients in May.
This is the second year that Edenvale’s Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz received a Gold rating, one of only four beverages in the competition. The company’s Cabernet Sauvignon, and Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc also won Gold, and its other entries won three Silver, one Bronze, and two Commended medals.
Edenvale’s founder, Michael Bright, said that “these awards are a true reflection of our team’s hard work, passion and dedication to the alcohol-removed category.”
“We continuously strive to innovate and elevate the standards in this space, and we are honoured to be recognised for our efforts.”
Lyre’s Spirits also performed strongly in the non-alcoholic spirits category. The New South Wales based distillery received Gold medals for its Amaretti, Italian Spritz, and Aperitif Rosso.
Lyre’s was founded by two Australians, Mark Livings and Carl Hartmann, in 2019, and is a global leader in the production of non-alcoholic spirits and ready to drink beverages. The company’s main headquarters are based in the UK, but they have production facilities in Australia, the UK, Germany and the USA.
