One of the Barossa’s biggest annual celebrations of wine has marked a major milestone, with the region’s top drops crowned at the 50th Barossa Wine Show.
Grant Burge Wines emerged with the show’s highest honour, with its 2024 Balthasar Shiraz named Best Barossa Wine at the 2026 Barossa Wine Show Awards Presentation Lunch at Château Tanunda on Friday, September 18.
It was a huge result for the wine, which collected three major trophies in total, also being named Best Red Wine and Best Shiraz.
The win came in a significant year for the regional competition. First held in 1977, the Barossa Wine Show is celebrating its 50th year in 2026, with this year’s event attracting 673 entries from 103 exhibitors.
The wines were judged blind across 26 classes by a panel of winemakers, sommeliers, wine media and industry professionals, led by Chair of Judges Adam Wadewitz of Shaw + Smith.
While Grant Burge’s Balthasar Shiraz claimed the top prize, Riesling also had a strong showing.
Treasury Wine Estates’ 2022 Leo Buring Leonay Mature Release Riesling collected three trophies of its own, taking out Best 2025 & Older Riesling, Best White Wine and Best Single Vineyard Wine.
Some of the Barossa’s oldest vines were also recognised. The 2021 St Hugo Single Vineyard Koch Barossa Valley Shiraz was named Best Centenarian Vineyard Wine, with viticulturist Ross Surace recognised for his work with the winning vineyard.
The Wine of Provenance categories looked beyond a single vintage to recognise wines demonstrating consistency and ageing potential over time.
Chaffey Bros. Wine Co’s Tripelpunkt Riesling took Best White Wine of Provenance for its 2015, 2019 and 2026 vintages, while W Salter & Son Pepperjack Barossa Shiraz won Best Red Wine of Provenance with its 2008, 2018 and 2024 vintages.
Elsewhere, Hentley Farm’s 2026 Eden Valley Riesling was named Best 2026 Riesling, Grant Burge’s 2017 The Vigneron Centenarian Semillon won Best Semillon, and St Hugo’s 2025 Eden Valley Chardonnay claimed Best Chardonnay. Hentley Farm also won Best White Wine, Other Varieties or Blends with its 2026 Mt Crawford Garganega.
Among the reds, Thorn-Clarke’s 2024 Single Vineyard Selection Malbec won Best Red Wine, Other Varieties, Chaffey Bros.’ 2025 Pax Aeterna took Best Grenache and Grant Burge’s 2024 Corryton Park was named Best Cabernet Sauvignon.
The winery awards were split by size, with White Gate Wine Co. named Best Small Sized Winery, Elderton Wines taking Best Medium Sized Winery and Treasury Wine Estates winning Best Large Sized Winery.
After half a century, the show continues to provide an annual snapshot of the wines, varieties and vineyards shaping one of South Australia’s best-known wine regions.
