Western Australia Performs Strongly at 2026 National Wine Show
Western Australia recorded a solid result at the 2026 National Wine Show of Australia, with wines from Margaret River prominent among the major award winners and contributing to the state’s overall tally of seven trophies.
A key outcome for the state was that the two wines considered for the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show were both from Western Australia. Xanadu’s 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon ultimately received the award, ahead of Evans & Tate’s 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay, highlighting the region’s performance across both red and white categories.
Xanadu’s Cabernet Sauvignon also received the James Halliday Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show and the Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy. Evans & Tate’s Chardonnay was awarded the Len Evans Memorial Trophy for Best White Wine of Show, in addition to the Chardonnay Trophy.
Western Australia’s seven trophies were shared across several producers:
- Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Prime Minister’s Trophy; Best Red Wine of Show; Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
- Evans & Tate 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay – Best White Wine of Show; Chardonnay Trophy
- La Kooki 2025 Chenin Rocks Chenin Blanc – White Varietal Trophy
- Hamelin Bay Wines 2023 Rampant Red – Shiraz Blends Trophy
Margaret River featured strongly in the Cabernet Sauvignon class, with all three finalists, La Kooki, Xanadu and Passel Estate, coming from the region. The outcomes reflect contributions from both established wineries and smaller producers. La Kooki, a first-time exhibitor, won the White Varietal Trophy for its Chenin Blanc. The label is operated by winemakers Glenn Goodall and Eloise Jarvis.
Hamelin Bay Wines also secured a trophy in the Shiraz blends category, adding to the range of Western Australian producers recognised at the show.
Across the competition, several first-time entrants progressed to the finals, including La Kooki, indicating opportunities for newer and smaller producers to compete alongside more established names.
The National Wine Show received 1,085 entries, including 83 first-time exhibitors, making it one of the largest fields in the event’s history. Entry is limited to wines that have already received awards at qualifying regional or capital city shows.
WA Gold Medal Winners
– Howard Park NV Petit Jeté
– Passel Estate 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon (Top Gold)
– La Kooki 2022 Local. Knowledge. Cabernet Sauvignon (Top Gold)
– Greenpiper Wines 2025 Cape Domaine Rosé 95 Gold
– Greenpiper Wines 2023 Butler Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Gold
– Mandoon Estate 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon
– Evans & Tate 2024 Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc
– Sittella Albariño (Gold Medal)
– Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2024
– Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
– Xanadu 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
WA Silver Medal Winners
– Mandoon Estate 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
– Evans & Tate 2024 Classic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
– Redbrook 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
– Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
– Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2023
– Xanadu 2022 Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon
– Xanadu 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
– Xanadu 2025 Vinework Sauvignon Blanc
WA Bronze Medal Winners
– Greenpiper Wines 2024 Cape Domaine Malbec 88 Bronze
– Greenpiper Wines 2024 Butler Crest Sauvignon Blanc 85 Bronze
– Millbrook Winery 2025 Regional Sauvignon Blanc
– Hamelin Bay Wines 2025 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
– Hamelin Bay Wines 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
– House of Cards 2025 Three Card Monte Sauvignon Blanc
– Forester Estate 2025 Lifestyle Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
– Stella Bella 2023 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
– Stella Bella Chardonnay 2024
– Stella Bella Otro Vino Rose 2025
– Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
– Deep Woods Estate 2025 Rosé
– Houghton 2022 Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon
– Sittella Swan Valley Liqueur Verdelho
– Wines of Merritt 2023 Rosabrook Cabernet Sauvignon
– Wines of Merritt 2024 Wilyabrup Malbec
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