Explore five trophy-winning wines from the Barossa and Orange wine shows

Australia's vinous history and the diverse wine regions within its borders ensure that the quantity and quality of wine being produced across the country is incredible. Wine shows provide an important and much-needed stage for the best of these wines to be showcased. Two of the most recent events were the Orange Wine Show and, celebrating it's 50th year, the Barossa Wine Show. 

Providing insights and benchmarks for both wineries and consumers, they are integral to the continued success of the Barossa and Orange respectively, as well as of the Australian wine industry as a whole.

This year's results have been released and, below, we are highlighting five of the wines that took home a trophy for their respective category. With a winning pinot noir, sparkling shiraz, red blend, grenache and riesling all featured on the list, these are wines worth exploring. 

Trophy winner for Best Pinot Noir and Red Wine of the Show, Orange Wine Show 2026

Angullong Wines Pinot Noir 2025, Orange

Our ‘A Range’ Pinot Noir is a blend of clones and was harvested, destemmed to whole berry, cold soaked and plunged daily prior to being pressed and aged in French oak. A stunning crimson colour with a youthful purple hue as well as bright and refined aromas of dark cherry and spice with subtle and integrated oak nuances. A lighter bodied varietal pinot noir with varietal cherry and spice flavours, beautifully balanced with complementary oak maturation and dusty tannins over the silky, smooth palate. – Angullong Wines. 

Owner and vigneron Ben Crossing says: The Orange region is one of Australia's most exciting cool climate regions. Its vineyards sit from 600 metres to more than 1,000 metres above sea level, on the slopes of the extinct volcano Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas). Each step up in elevation offers the wines different characteristics. Our 2025 Pinot Noir is made from fruit grown at around 600 metres and shows the purity and freshness of the region. It was recently awarded two trophies at the 2026 Orange Wine Show, Best Pinot Noir and Red Wine of the Show.

H. What is special about this variety?
BC. Pinot noir can be a fickle variety to grow, but it is certainly finding its home on the cool climate slopes of Orange. Winemakers here are making a range of styles, and it is exciting to watch the variety develop. Our vineyard was established in 1998, and the pinot noir vines are a more recent addition. The 2025 vintage is a blend of clones. The fruit was destemmed to whole berries, cold soaked and plunged daily, then pressed and aged in French oak. This ensures the freshness and silky texture of the variety shine in the glass.

Best enjoyed: Pinot noir is a versatile wine. It is lovely on its own and pairs well with terrine or cured meats. If you can, decant it before serving to bring out its varietal and regional character. A glass of Orange Pinot Noir with antipasti, an Orange sunset and nowhere to be. That is what works.

RRP $24 | Drink to 2030 | angullong.com.au | Shop this wine

Trophy winner for Best Red Wine – Other Blends, Barossa Wine Show 2026

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Tempranillo+Graciano+Grenache La Conquista! 2025, Barossa Valley

From the delicately alluring floral and spiced perfume begins a whirling roller-coaster ride of flavour, dancing deftly between savoury spice and slurpy red, blue and black berries and red plum on the palate. – Chaffey Bros Wine Co.

Winemakers Daniel Chaffey Hartwig, Huon Fechner and Theo Engela say: Since a vinuous pilgrimage to Spain in 2013, we have been on a quest to make the perfect roble-style blend in the Barossa showcasing tempranillo, graciano and old-vine grenache. The 2025 vintage marks 12 years on and an exceptional season for these varieties gifted us the most vibrant, fruit forward and sophisticated La Conquista yet!

H. What is special about this variety?
DCH, HF & TE. The combination of these Iberian varieties in their adopted Barossa home makes for a minimal intervention, symbiotic blend that showcases and elevates their individual attributes with the resultant blend greater than the sum of its parts.

Best enjoyed: This is a versatile and lively medium-bodied blend that is perfect to pair with all number of dining occasions, from the backyard barbecue to the tapas bar. It meshes perfectly with anything char-grilled and delicious.

RRP $30 | Drink to 2035 | chaffeybros.com | Shop this wine

Trophy winner for Best Grenache, Barossa Wine Show 2026

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Pax Aeterna Old Vine Grenache 2025, Barossa Valley

Old-vine grenache off Kevin Schild's vineyard in Vine Vale; 34% whole bunches. Mid-ruby with aromas of red plum, raspberry and cranberry fruits cut with hints of exotic spice, ginger cake, Campari, dried citrus rind, wildflowers and an expression of orange oil. Plenty of space and delicious red and dark fruits on the palate. This makes for spicy, fresh drinking. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion. 

Winemakers Daniel Chaffey Hartwig, Huon Fechner and Theo Engela say: Grenache was a shining highlight of the 2025 vintage and the 94-year-old Schild Vineyard shone once again with the “Survivor” vines delivering a wine of bright-fruited intensity and concentrated lip-smacking flavour. Whole-bunch (34%) vibes emanate throughout, making for an ethereal, poised-like-a-raspberry, packed jack-in-a-box that has a sprinkling of dried cranberry thrown on top. On the palate, it's complex, breezy and lively, with bright red fruits and lip-smacking fine tannins that leave you wanting more. With only 493 dozen made, this wine sells out without fail.

H. What is special about this variety?
DCH, HF & TE. Grenache is the Barossa’s secret weapon. It's home to the oldest grenache vines in the world, the variety is perfectly suited to our climate, making it a sustainability champ that suits the trend towards more elegant, ethereal and refreshingly lighter styles.

Best enjoyed: It's our original chillable red – for years our somm friends have been telling us that customers love it when they serve it chilled! Pax is the type of wine you can pair with all manner of delicacies like roast duck or chicken terrine, or keep it simple and pop it in the top of the esky on the way to a pool party with wood-fire pizza.

RRP $35 | Drink to 2034 | chaffeybros.com | Shop this wine

Trophy winner for White Wine of Provenence, Barossa Wine Show 2026

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Tripelpunkt Riesling, Eden Valley

Winner of Best White Wine of Provenance (The Peter Lehmann Perpetual Trophy): 2026, 2019 and 2015 vintages. Tripelpunkt is exotic, alluring and versatile; a thirst-slaking luscious style that finds every corner of your palate. – Chaffey Bros Wine Co. 

Winemakers Daniel Chaffey Hartwig, Huon Fechner and Theo Engela says: Tripelpunkt* – three distinct blocks and aspects of one legendary vineyard. The Fechner family’s Eden Valley vineyard is limestone laden and renowned for exquisite and exotic riesling, with vines as old as 60+ years on the 1964 block. Careful hand-picking, fastidious whole-bunch pressing and wild ferment results in an elusive triumvirate: precision, texture and balance. Our most awarded, versatile and crowd-pleasing riesling.

H. What is special about this variety?
DCH, HF & TE. Riesling is the queen of whites; an unadorned ethereal beauty and a romantic love letter straight from the vineyard thanks to its transparent and revealing nature.

Best enjoyed: This is a versatile, textural riesling that pairs well with all manner of cuisine from fresh oysters and kingfish sashimi to Korean Fried Chicken or a picnic cheese platter.

RRP $30 | Drink to 2035 | chaffeybros.com | Shop this wine

Trophy winner for Best Sweet or Sparkling Wine, Barossa Wine Show 2026

Peter Lehmann The Queen Sparkling Shiraz 2021, Barossa Valley

Subtle beading and delicate mousse enhance its luscious, seductive character, while a savoury dark chocolate backbone is balanced by sweet, perfumed oak. Layers of blackberry jam and satsuma plum carry through to a long, complex finish, where fruit sweetness is beautifully offset by depth, structure and time spent on tirage prior to disgorgement. – Peter Lehmann. 

Chief winemaker Nigel Westblade says: A true Australian original, The Queen Sparkling Shiraz is rich, indulgent and made for celebration. Known as the "Jewel in our Crown", it showcases the best of the Barossa and has earned some of Australia's highest wine accolades, including Best Sparkling Red at the 2026 Australian Sparkling Wine Show and Best Sweet or Sparkling Wine at the 2026 Barossa Wine Show.

H. What is special about this variety?
NW. Sparkling shiraz is one of the world's most unique wine styles. Combining the bold, rich flavours of shiraz with the freshness and vitality of sparkling wine, it delivers a distinctive combination of dark berry fruit, spice and fine bubbles. The result is a wine that's both indulgent and celebratory.

Best enjoyed: Serve well chilled in a flute and enjoy alongside Christmas ham, roast turkey or festive gatherings. Equally, enjoy it at home as an indulgent brunch pairing. The Queen Sparkling Shiraz's rich fruit flavours and fine bubbles make it a memorable choice for celebrations both big and small.

RRP $50 | Drink to 2038 | peterlehmannwines.com | Shop this wine