The Margaret River region scored six trophies. Image supplied
Margaret River Wine Region has been awarded the most trophies of any region in the world at the 2026 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
Judged from more than 6,000 global entries by leading wine critics, buyers and sommeliers, Margaret River wines were awarded six trophies, contributing to Australia’s total haul of eight, and positioning the country alongside France as the competition’s leading wine nation.
Following the initial judging in Margaret River in August, the region’s gold medal-winning wines progressed to the next stage of the competition, where they were judged alongside gold medal wines from around the world. From this international field, the trophy winners were selected as the best wines in their respective categories.
“We’re at the beginning of a new chapter for Australian wine in the UK,” said IWSC judge Freddy Bulmer, wine buyer of The Wine Society in the UK.
“We are definitely seeing Margaret River really overperforming against the rest of the country.”
Three of Margaret River’s trophies were awarded to Cabernet Sauvignon: Lenton Brae Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, Nocturne Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 and Stella Bella Wines Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2024.
Stella Bella said the award is also further recognition of the distinctive character of Cabernet grown in the southern reaches of Margaret River. Suckfizzle is the winery’s most southerly vineyard, “an exposed maritime site where cooler growing conditions, ocean influence and a long ripening season are central to the wine’s character”.
“To win gold was already a fantastic result, but to then have the wine put back in front of the judges alongside more than 250 gold medal wines and emerge with one of just 45 trophies makes this incredibly special,” said Jarrod Olsen, chief winemaker at Stella Bella.
“Suckfizzle has always been a wine defined by where it comes from. It’s our most southern site, wild, unbridled and heavily influenced by the Indian and Southern Oceans. It’s the place of origin that gives this Cabernet its unique energy, structure and personality and we work tirelessly in the vineyard and winery to capture, harness and emphasise that each vintage.
“We’re incredibly proud of the wine, but we’re also proud to see Margaret River perform so strongly. Six trophies from one region on an international stage says a lot about the quality of wine being grown here.”
Chardonnay also made its mark, with trophies awarded to Xanadu Wines Reserve Chardonnay 2024 and the record-scoring House of Cards Ace High Chardonnay 2025, which achieved 100 points. A further trophy went to Willespie Estate Wilyabrup Reserve Semillon 2025.
CEO of Margaret River Wine Association Penny Dickeson said these global trophies reinforce the quality and consistency of wine across every level of producer in the region.
“Margaret River wineries have made the most of a remarkable run of consistent growing seasons to produce wines of exceptional quality. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay continue to be judged among the finest examples of their kind in Australia and internationally, and these IWSC results are a wonderful recognition of the dedication and talent of our region’s family-owned wineries,” Dickeson said.
A total of 45 wine trophies were awarded across ‘still’, ‘sparkling’, and ‘sweet & fortified’ categories by the IWSC judging committee. The IWSC trophy-winning wines will be eligible for section in the IWSC 2026 Producer Trophy winners, which will be revealed in November.
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