Aussie wineries celebrate historic wins at Royal Queensland Awards

Landmark wins at the Royal Queensland Awards (RQA) are being celebrated by wineries around the country. Margaret River based winery Stella Bella saw its Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 claim the Angelo Puglisi Grand Champion Trophy, taking home a $12,000 fellowship for travel, training and education. The wine also won the Stodart Trophy for Best Red Wine and the Alan Cook MBE Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon. Chief judge Julian Langworthy said the wine was a clear standout in the competition. “The Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 had great freshness and real vibrancy of fruit, but a lovely fine tannin structure.” Stella Bella chief winemaker Jarrad Olsen said the recognition meant a great deal to the team. The Dr Bill Ryan Trophy for Best Pinot Noir, which includes a $5,000 bursary, was awarded to Giant Steps for their Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025, while The Star Trophy for Best Queensland Wine was taken out by Golden Grove Estate for its Nero d’Avola 2025. Adelaide Hills producer Sidewood Estate won Gold for its 2025 Pinot Noir, making it the first Pinot Noir from the region to win Gold since the competition’s records became publicly available in 2015.