The Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon was a favourite to win, and took out the Prime Minister’s Trophy on the night. Photo: Xanadu Wines.
The National Wine Show of Australia is underway, kicking off with a presentation dinner at the National Press Club. The room was full of winemaking legends from around the country, all hoping to win the prestigious Prime Minister’s Trophy for best wine of show.
The evening kicked off with an address from Senator Don Farrell, a crowd favourite who was referred to as “our favourite wine ambassador” by the MC of the evening.
Despite illness, Senator Farrell – who also owns a winery in Clare Valley, South Australia – insisted on coming to the event.
“When they suggested I should skip it, I said, ‘Are you kidding!?’” he told the crowd, to much applause.
Senator Farrell had been busily spruiking Australian wines in Europe as part of the EU Free Trade Agreement and also spoke enthusiastically about India and China as markets with significant growth potential.
“It doesn’t matter where you look around the world, we have opportunities to get Australian wine out there.”
Matt Harrop will stand down after three years as head of judges at the National Wine Show. Photo: National Wine Show.
Outgoing head of judges Matt Harrop commended the winemakers for their creativity, detail and dedication.
While the old favourites are still performing well, he said alternative varietals like Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Mencia and Malbec were ones to watch in the future as vines age and farming techniques become more precise.
“We’ve got acceptance [of these varietals] by younger generations on full display, and I’d urge you to explore them.
“There’s commercial pressure on mainstream varietals, with so many available at so many price points, so if you
can do something a little distinct, new, slightly different in flavour, it’s good.”
The judging panel once again had an even gender split, and Matt Harrop was also proud to have lowered the panel’s average age by introducing younger judges. The panel also had diversity across experience, with winemakers, commentators, and other wine professionals all represented, along with winemaking regions. Murrumbateman’s own Celine Rousseau of Eden Road Wines was on the 12-member judging panel.
Bungendore’s own Carla Rodeghiero and Malcolm Burdett of Sapling Yard took out the blended white trophy. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
There was a mix of expected winners and a few surprises on the night.
Tasmania’s House of Arras usually dominates the sparkling wine category, but the trophy went to Yarra Valley’s Coldstream Hills 2018 sparkling Pinot Noir. House of Arras did pick up top gold for their 2017 Sparkling Rosé.
WA’s La Kooki wines won the White Varietals trophy for their 2025 Chenin Rocks Chenin Blanc: an unusual wine that was wild-fermented in barrels with granite rocks, resulting in a complex wine with plenty of flinty minerality.
Local winery Sapling Yard took home the Blended White trophy for their 2025 Fiori, made with a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Blanc grapes.
The Len Evans Memorial Trophy for White Wine of Show went to Evans & Tate 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay. The James Halliday Trophy for Red Wine of Show went to Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, which also took out the Prime Minister’s Trophy. Both wines are from WA’s Margaret River.
The Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon had recently been awarded 98 points at the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition. Out of 12,000 entries, it was the only red wine to achieve this score, so their win at the Australian show was not a surprise!
To enter the National Wine Show, wines must have achieved a gold or silver medal at a qualifying show, so the results showcase the absolute best of the best.
And the good news is, great wines don’t have to break the bank: seven of the trophy winning wines have a price point under $30. We’ll drink to that!
Trophy Winners
Sparkling Trophy: Coldstream Hills 2018 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Sweet White Trophy: De Bortoli Wines 2022 Noble One
Rosé Trophy: Jacob’s Creek 2025 Le Petit Rosé
Fortified Trophy: Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat
Pinot Gris/Grigio Trophy: Lobethal Road 2025 Pinot Gris
Riesling Trophy: Leo Buring 2022 Leonay Mature Release Riesling
Semillon Trophy: Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2017 Vat 1 Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc Trophy: Sidewood Estate 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay Trophy: Evans & Tate 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay
White Varietal Trophy: La Kooki 2025 Chenin Rocks Chenin Blanc
Blended White Trophy: Sapling Yard 2025 Fiori Riesling Pinot Gris Gewürztraminer Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir Trophy: Giant Steps 2024 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir
Grenache Trophy: Willunga 100 2024 Trott Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache
Shiraz Trophy: Jim Barry 2023 Lodge Hill Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy: Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Varietal Trophy: De Bortoli Wines 2025 Yarra Valley Estate Vineyard Gamay
Grenache Blends Trophy: St Hugo 2024 Grenache Shiraz Mataro
Shiraz Blends: Hamelin Bay Wines 2023 Rampant Red
Cabernet Blends Trophy: Lake Breeze 2023 Arthurs Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec
Alternate Red Blends Trophy: Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards 2025 Brioni’s Blend
Len Evans Memorial Trophy – White Wine of Show: Evans & Tate 2023 Single Vineyard
James Halliday Trophy – Red Wine of Show: Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Prime Minister’s Trophy – Champion Wine of Show: Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Find out more about the National Wine Show.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
