Australian family-owned producer Fourth Wave Wines is celebrating a major milestone. Its 2024 Bumblebee White Chardonnay has been named Chardonnay of the Year and Wine of the Year Australia at the 2025 USA Wine Ratings. For Ross Marshall, Managing Director, the recognition is a powerful statement about where Australian wine—and organic wine in particular—stands in the global market. As American consumers explore lighter, fresher styles alongside more robust classics, Bumblebee Chardonnay arrives as a confident contender of how modern winemaking can resonate with today’s shoppers.

We spoke with Marshall about the impact of this achievement, the winemaking philosophy behind Bumblebee, and what’s next for the brand in the U.S.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Congratulations on this double win—“Chardonnay of the Year” & “Wine of the Year Australia”. From a business perspective, how significant is this recognition for Fourth Wave Wines and the Bumblebee brand?

This is very significant for us. Fourth Wave has a suite of market-leading brands crafted to appeal to the modern wine consumer. One of the important qualifiers to our customers is that the wines are of a high-quality standard. Winning this on our Chardonnay allows us to confidently back our brands as a great choice. We are very proud of our multi-regional winemaking team and their ability to deliver such bright and flavourful wine styles so consistently. Fourth Wave produces a lot of organic wine, and we believe our approach is making a real impact.

Awards can be a powerful sales tool—how do you see this particular achievement influencing retailer interest and consumer trust?

The wine shelf, particularly for new shoppers, can be challenging to navigate. Like many categories, awards simplify the decision-making process and help consumers feel more confident in their choice. This recognition too will support that trust.

What drove the decision to enter the 2024 Bumblebee White Chardonnay into the USA Wine Ratings specifically?

Matter of fact, we chose to enter it in the show to hopefully win—which, pleasingly, we did. As simple as that. Entering such a large and complex market like the U.S. requires a broad approach. We knew we had the right wine style, package, and shelf price to be compelling, but having the quality reaffirmed by this award enables us to talk about it more confidently.

Which markets (domestic or export) do you see as the biggest growth opportunities for Bumblebee following this recognition?

This will primarily support our recent launch into the USA. The market has terrific local producers of Chardonnay in a spectrum of styles, from fuller to leaner. The Bumblebee Chardonnay needed to showcase that it is a high-quality brand in a modern style that will resonate with shoppers in the U.S.

Can you walk us through the viticulture and winemaking techniques used for the 2024 Bumblebee White Chardonnay?

Fruit for the Bumblebee wines is grown under the warm Australian sun. Key for us is crop levels and canopy management to ensure the fruit ripens evenly and slowly, delivering fresh, bright, and flavorful wines. Oak is used judiciously, serving more to support and soften the palate than to impart overt flavor.

How do your organic, sustainable, and vegan-friendly practices influence the wine’s style and quality?

The inland region of South Australia is ideal for organic farming. It’s dry, with minimal rain and low humidity, which reduces disease pressure and the need for harmful sprays. The premium fruit resource we rely on is really a combination of variety choice, location, and organic practices. Together, they allow us to deliver very high-quality fruit consistently and sustainably.

As a leading Australian winemaker, what trends are you currently seeing in the U.S. import and distribution market for Australian wines?

The U.S. market is big and varied. Fuller-flavored wine styles continue to perform strongly, but there’s also a growing groundswell of support for “better-for-you” drinks—lighter wine styles, lower sugar levels, and organic options. That duality is shaping opportunities for brands like ours.

Are there particular varietals or styles from Australia that are gaining traction with U.S. buyers?

Both light and fresh styles, as well as the more robust wines have the opportunity to succeed in the U.S. It really depends on the market segment. More knowledgeable shoppers are increasingly seeking out quality from older vineyard material and premium winemaking. Meanwhile, fresh whites and lighter-bodied reds are trending globally, and Australia is well placed to lead in this space.

What’s next for Bumblebee as a brand—any new releases, styles, or market initiatives on the horizon?

Bumblebee does classic wine varieties well: Cabernet, Shiraz-based blends, and Chardonnay. Looking ahead, we’re expanding with fresher white wines like Pinot Grigio and Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Rosé. All are crafted to reflect today’s trending style—bright, fresh, and thoroughly enjoyable.

If you could send one message to potential U.S. importers or distributors about Bumblebee White Chardonnay, what would it be?

The organic wine category isn’t going anywhere—it’s steadily growing. But organics is only half of the story; the wines must also deliver on quality and style. Bumblebee has proven itself among the very best at achieving this balance. With a compelling package, accessible pricing, and now the endorsement of this Chardonnay win, Bumblebee offers a complete proposition for the U.S. market.