Victoria has claimed three major trophies at the 2026 National Wine Show of Australia in a year that saw nearly 1,100 wines judged from across the country.
Across 12 judges, the competition awarded 126 Gold medals, 262 Silver and 388 Bronze, alongside 20 national trophies and two Best Wine in Show titles.
Leading the charge from Victoria was Coldstream Hills’ 2018 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir Chardonnay, which took out the Sparkling Trophy, a category long considered a stronghold of Tasmanian producers. The result marks a significant shift in recognition for Victorian sparkling wine and reinforces the strength of the Yarra Valley as a world-class cool-climate region.
Victoria also secured the Pinot Trophy thanks to Giant Steps 2024 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir, further cementing the state’s reputation for precision and elegance in pinot production.
Rounding out the trio of wins was De Bortoli Wines 2025 Yarra Valley Estate Vineyard Gamay, which claimed the Red Varietal Trophy and added another layer of diversity to Victoria’s success across multiple styles.
The National Wine Show is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most rigorous wine competitions, with only wines that have already achieved Gold or Silver at one of 32 qualifying capital city and regional wine shows eligible for entry.
