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.
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.
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.
“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, UK.
“We are definitely seeing Margaret River really overperforming against the rest of the country,” Bulmer continued.
The International Wine and Spirit Competition has been one of the world’s defining global wine appraisal systems since 1969. Judges visited Margaret River from 26-28 August and assessed more than 250 entries through the IWSC’s rigorous process across key varieties including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2026 Margaret River judging panel was led by Co-Chairs Andrew Caillard MW (Auctioneer & Author), and Freddy Bulmer (Wine Buyer, The Wine Society), alongside UK-based judges Emma Robinson (Wine Buyer, Wine Jeroboams), Isa Bal MS (Founder & Owner, Trivet) and Joanna Nerantzi (Head Sommelier, The Raffles, London), and Australian judges Nick Ryan (Wine Writer, The Australian), Kayleen Reynolds (Wine Sales & Educator, Prince Wine Store) and Loïc Avril (General Manager of Wine, Lucas Collective).
Of his time judging in Margaret River, Isa Bal MS of London’s Michelin-starred Trivet and LaBombe, said: “Margaret River is a relatively small region producing really high-quality wine, so there is still a genuine sense of discovery.”
A coastal region in the south-west of Australia, Margaret River represents just 2% of the nation’s annual grape crush, with just under 6,000 hectares of vineyards and 175 wine producers (over half making less than 4,000 9LE cases, vintage 2024).
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.
IWSC Trophy Winning Wines from Australia
Lenton Brae Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Margaret River) Nocturne Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Margaret River) Stella Bella Wines Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Margaret River) Xanadu Wines Reserve Chardonnay 2024 (Margaret River) House of Cards Ace High Chardonnay 2025 (Margaret River) Willespie Estate Wilyabrup Reserve Semillon 2025 (Margaret River) Soumah Hexham Vineyard Chardonnay 2025 (Yarra Valley) Dandelion Vineyards Lioness Shiraz 2024 (Mclaren Vale)
The Margaret River IWSC Judging was organised with the Margaret River Wine Association, in partnership with Wines of Western Australia through support from the Western Australian Wine Industry Partnership, an industry-led initiative supported by the WA Government.
