Mollydooker Wines named 2019 Telstra SA Business of the Year

The state’s best enterprises were recognised at last night’s Telstra South Australian Business Awards, with a McLaren Vale winemaker claiming the top gong.

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Thirteen vintages later, McLaren Vale winemaker Sarah Marquis can raise a toast to celebrate growing the state’s top business.

Mollydooker Wines, which produces 70,000 to 100,000 cases annually of premium fruit-rich wine, was last night named the 2019 Telstra South Australian Business of the Year.

The wine exporter also took home the best-in-category Medium & Making Waves Award.

Ms Marquis, sole owner and chief winemaker, had previously told The Advertiser the business was ready to stake claim to being a strong drawcard for SA.

The brand Mollydooker — Aussie slang for left-handed people — was set up in 2006 by ‘lefties’ and co-founders Sparky and Sarah.

Sarah took over the reins of the business in 2017, managing the core business of producing globally acclaimed wines, events, winery tours and the cellar door with about 50 staff.

The business behind wines like Two Left Feet, Violinist, and Ms Molly, uses innovative techniques and data and analytics across the grape growing and winemaking process, which was recognised by the judges.

It has also developed a ‘Mollydooker Shake’, inverting and shaking the wine bottle to restore its full-flavoured taste.

“We were impressed by Mollydooker Wines’ business savviness, clear vision and values,” said Michael Ackland, Telstra group executive, consumer & small business.

“With strong financial foundations, the entire team is focused on ensuring the wine quality remains consistent, while making very smart decisions about how the business grows,” he said.

The Telstra Business Awards, supported by News Corp. Australia, publisher of The Advertiser, recognise the nation’s best businesses, provide expert advice, open networking opportunities and help them gain the credibility to take their business to the next level.

The other category winners are:

Emerging & Energised Award: Society Marketing Communications,

Small & Succeeding Award: Physio Fit Adelaide,

Social Change Maker Award: Determined2.

The winners, selected from among 24 local finalists, were judged across a broad range of criteria, including strategy and vision, customers and marketing, operations, people and culture, innovation and technology, social responsibility, and financial acumen.

Nationally, the Telstra awards program, which is now in its 27th year, attracted a record 21,000 nominations.

All the South Australian winners demonstrated excellence across six key judging criteria, underpinned by a commitment to innovation and technology.

“The South Australian winners are shining examples of businesses doing great things in new and effective ways for their customers,” Mr Ackland said.

“They have inspired us all with their resilience, courage and incredible commitment.”

State winners will travel to Melbourne for the national series on November 21.

Telstra Business Awards nominations are open year-round. For more information, please visit: www.telstrabusinessawards.com

Originally published as Mollydooker Wines named 2019 Telstra SA Business of the Year