The Yarra Valley shines with finalists in The Real Review Wine Awards 2026
The Real Review has announced the finalists for its Top Wineries of Australia 2026 category awards and the Yarra Valley shines with two coveted nominations from member wineries. In fact, Victoria has emerged as a frontrunner this year, securing the most finalists spots of any state with 10 of the 24.
In the White Wine of the Year category, Victorian wines secured all three finalist spots. “This marks the second year of both recognising winemaking talent and honouring the excellence of the wines themselves, through our category awards. At a time when the wine industry faces growing challenges, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the individuals behind the craft, and the distinctive styles they bring to life,” said Huon Hooke, principal wine writer at The Real Review.
Hooke said that Victoria continues to set the pace for quality. On announcing the 2026 finalists, we’re excited to congratulate Yarra Valley’s Oakridge Wines being one of the three finalists with their 864 Henk Aqueduct Block Chardonnay 2023 standing among the top three white wines in the country. “To be selected by Huon Hooke and the panel via such a demanding selection process validates what we’ve always known: the Henk Vineyard is a site of rare distinction. This shortlisting places the Aqueduct Block at the pinnacle of contemporary Australian winemaking. It is a wine of tension, terroir, and—above all—intent.” – David Bicknell, Oakridge Wines Chief Winemaker.
We’re also excited to announce and congratulate Sarah Crowe and Andrew George at Yarra Yering, nominated as ‘Vigneron of the Year’. The category recognises winegrowers shaping wines from vineyard to bottle — a complete expression of site, season and intent.
“This nomination is a deeply meaningful recognition of the work, the care, and the people behind the wines. It’s a privilege to be named alongside Bindi Wines and SC Pannell” – Sarah Crowe and Andrew George, Yarra Yering.
Sarah Crowe and Andrew George of Yarra Yering
The Real Review tasting panel features Hooke alongside wine industry experts Stuart Knox, Aaron Brasher, Gabrielle Poy, Melisa Moore and Ralph Kyte-Powell. The final rankings are determined through “a rigorous, proprietary algorithm that considers wine scores and the recency of reviews over a two-year period”.
Winners will be announced alongside the 9th annual Top Wineries of Australia ranking on May 11th.
See the full list of finalists in each category at The Real Review
Vigneron of the Year:
Michael Dhillon – Bindi Wines (Macedon Ranges, VIC)
Steve Pannell – S.C. Pannell (McLaren Vale, SA) S
arah Crowe & Andrew George – Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, VIC)
White Wine of the Year:
Oakridge 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Fighting Gully Road Smiths’ Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Beechworth, VIC)
Crittenden Cri de Coeur Sous Voile Savagnin 2020 (Mornington Peninsula, VIC)