The medal and trophy winners of the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWC) have been selected, with Australia performing incredibly well. Beresford Estate and Penfolds were singled out, receiving the top International Trophy in the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon categories respectively.
Now in its 42nd year, the IWC is known for its rigorous judging by international tasting panels of industry experts, with every decision scrutinised for the wines’ faithfulness to style, region and vintage. The 2026 results mark the final IWC awards announced under the competition’s current format, ahead of a major global rebrand launching later this year.
Australia delivered one of the strongest performances relative to its entry volume, achieving a 9.35 per cent Gold medal success rate, placing it among the strongest performers among major wine-producing countries. The country was ranked 5th by total medal count, coming behind France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Judges stated Australia showed real breadth across regions, with South Australia and Tasmania leading the medal tables, spanning styles including Shiraz, Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
IWC co-chair, Oz Clarke, said Australia remains a powerhouse of exciting reds and whites, but the landscape is changing.
“Barossa and Maclaren Vale performed really well, but not only with Shiraz – Grenache is now a real star performer from a wealth of old vines,” said Clarke.
“And Tasmania is no longer a wine buff's curiosity. The sparklers have been superb for quite a while, but the reds, and particularly the whites, are now some of Australia's finest.”
The Beresford Estate Classic Shiraz 2023 was among the most decorated wines of IWC 2026, winning four Trophies – the South Australian Shiraz Trophy, Australian Shiraz Trophy, Australian Red Trophy and International Syrah Trophy. The $25 wine outperformed 110 other Shiraz entries. Judges described it as powerful yet beautifully composed, with blackcurrant, menthol and sweet fruit underpinned by substantial but balanced tannins.
Beresford Estate head winemaker, Natalie Cleghorn, said the result is a genuine reflection of what the McLaren Vale region is capable of.
“When you let the fruit and site do the talking – without overcomplicating the winemaking – the quality speaks for itself. To be recognised on a global stage against wines at every price point is incredibly rewarding,” said Cleghorn.
The full list of Australian Trophy winners at the 2026 IWC includes:
- International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy – Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- International Syrah Trophy – Beresford Wines Classic Shiraz 2023
- Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy – Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- Australian Fortified Trophy – Morris Wines Classic Muscat NV
- Australian Grenache Trophy – MMAD Vineyard Grenache 2024
- Australian Pinot Noir Trophy – Stefano Lubiana Wines Estate Pinot Noir 2024
- Australian Red Trophy – Beresford Wines Classic Shiraz 2023
- Australian Shiraz Trophy – Beresford Wines Classic Shiraz 2023
- Australian Sparkling Trophy – House of Arras Grand Vintage 2017
- Australian Sweet Trophy – Nugan Estate Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon 2023
- Australian White Trophy – Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
- South Australia Chardonnay Trophy – Sidewood Estate Vigneron's Release Owen's Chardonnay 2024
- South Australian Shiraz Trophy – Beresford Wines Classic Shiraz 2023
- Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy – Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
- Victorian Shiraz Trophy – Glenlofty Estate Decameron Station Shiraz 2023
The full list of results is available online at internationalwinechallenge.com. The IWC Champion Wines for 2026 are selected following a re-tasting by the IWC co-chairs of all the trophy-winning wines, and will be revealed at the International Wine Challenge Industry Awards Dinner 2026 on 8 September.
