Australia and New Zealand shine at 2026 Decanter Wine Awards

Australian and New Zealand wineries have celebrated success at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). Nearly 17,000 entries were submitted from 58 countries and judged blindly by 245 wine experts. Australia notably secured 85 top-tier medals including five of the 50 available Best in Show titles, with South Australia leading the national medal tally at 32 top-tier medals. Adelaide Hills producer Sidewood Estate’s 2024 Vigneron’s Release Owen’s Chardonnay and 2024 Mappinga Chardonnay both achieved Platinum medals, an accolade awarded to 1% of entries in the competition. Dalrymple Vineyards in Tasmania, also owned by Hill-Smith Family Estates, was awarded Best in Show and ranked in the top 50 list for its Dalrymple Vineyards Single Site Estate Pipers River Pinot Noir 2024. Waitaki Valley single-vineyard producer Clos Ostler had its 2022 EOS Pinot Noir awarded 97 points and a Platinum award, making it the equal highest-rated New Zealand wine in this year’s competition.