Ed Carr named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year for a second time at IWC

Ed Carr, winemaker for House of Arras in Tasmania, has once again been named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWC). Carr made history as the first Australian to win the award back in 2024, following being nominated for the first time in 2022. He is also the only Australian sparkling winemaker to appear on the finalist shortlist in the history of the competition’s published results, which date back to 2009. "The Champion Wines and Winemakers of the Year represent the very highest level of achievement at the International Wine Challenge. Each winning wine has succeeded through a series of rigorous blind tastings by an international panel of experts, while the individual awards recognise winemakers whose skill, consistency and dedication have placed them at the forefront of their field. This year’s winners demonstrate the extraordinary quality and diversity found across the global wine industry,” said Chris Ashton, director of the IWC