Riesling leads the medal tally at Clare Valley Wine Show 2026

328 wines from 33 producers have been put to the test at the 2026 Clare Valley Wine Show, with a total of 232 medals including 34 Gold and Top Gold medals awarded. Riesling led the gold medal tally with 18 – more than half of all gold medals awarded across the show. Taking home the show’s highest honour was Pikes Wines, with its 2021 The Merle Riesling named ‘Wine of Show’, as well as taking out ‘Best Riesling of Show’ – a fitting result for a region internationally renowned for the variety. Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association executive officer Cherry Stowman said the results reinforced both the region’s reputation for Riesling and the impressive breadth of quality being produced across the Valley. “Riesling is part of Clare Valley’s DNA, and the quality presented to the judges this year was exceptional. To see a Riesling ultimately named ‘Wine of Show’ is a wonderful endorsement of the variety for which our region is so famous.