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A South Australia winery has taken the best in show for a Reisling at the one of the world’s largest wine competition, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
Pewsey Vale Vineyards’ $28 bottle of Estate Riesling, which comes from vines planted in the Eden Valley more than 175 years ago, was one of the five Australia bottles that won a Best in Show award.
Now in its 23rd year, the awards are widely regarded as the global benchmark for wine quality, with nearly 17,000 wines assessed by more than 240 leading experts in 2026.
The wine is described as ‘flavourful and refreshing with an approachable, soft natural acidity iconic to Eden Valley.’
The dry drop is pale straw in colour with green hues and an aroma of while flowers, fresh limes and subtle herbs. It’s a wine best enjoyed with things like fresh seafood, Thai beef salad, salt and pepper squid, or a tomato salad with pickled walnuts and basil.
Each block of grapes was picked at optimum ripeness to capture the classic flavours of Pewsey Vale and Eden Valley, with many parcels fermented using natural wild yeast from the vineyard.
Hill-Smith Family Estates proprietor Robert Hill-Smith said the historic Pewsey Vale Vineyard site in Eden Valley has been dedicated to Riesling for nearly 180 years.
“Interestingly the original and current plantings have been sourced from plants whose origins can be traced back to the first importation of Riesling in 1838 by the Macarthur family,” he said.
“This selection is now known as the ‘Pewsey Vale Vineyard clone’.
“We have always regarded Pewsey Vale Vineyard as one of the great Riesling Estates of the world and awards such as this amplify the history and quality of the site and the consistency of its wine folio,” Mr Hill-Smith said.
It’s no wonder their Pewsey Vale took out top spot for the Riesling, as Riesling is their primary focus, with all their undivided attention on making the best product possible year after year. The renowned site has been under custodianship of the Hill-Smith family since 1970, which gives them a rich history of the space.
The team owe it to the amazing vineyards that do their own thing, without wanting too much human interaction.
Head winemaker for the Hill-Smith Family Estates, Louisa Rose, said the consistency of Pewsey Vale Vineyard is special and rare in the world of wine.
“Since its re-establishment in 1961, after Riesling was first planted in 1847, this vineyard has delivered wines of
remarkable quality and character every year, enjoyed by generations of wine lovers.
“As we approach 180 years since the first vineyard was planted, it’s a legacy we are incredibly proud to continue, and one that will continue to deliver for generations of wine lovers to come,” she said.
While Australia had an impressive run at the Decanter World Wine Awards, securing 85 top-tier medals across the competition, it was SA that truly shone.
The state led the medal haul with nine Platinum medals, including five Shiraz, one Cabernet Sauvignon, one Riesling and two Chardonnays.
Sidewood’s Owen’s Chardonnay 2024 and Mappinga Chardonnay 2024 both won Platinum and Wirra Wirra’s Church Block Grenache-Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2024 won Australia’s only Top Value Gold.
“Australia is often thought of as a hot country but the quality of ‘cool climate’ varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine continues to defy the clichés,” said DWWA Regional Chair for Australia, Huon Hooke.
In total South Australia took home a whopping 311 medals across the awards and different categories.
We’ll certainly cheers to that!
To see the full list of winners, click here.
