Best 'young red' awarded to a windswept vineyard in Tassie

Nearly 50 years after being told it couldn’t be done, a windswept Tasmanian vineyard once dismissed as too wild and too cold for wine has achieved recognition at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.

Meadowbank Wines claimed the Melbourne Royal Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red for its 2024 Pinot Noir — a fitting tribute to five decades of hard work transforming a Derwent Valley sheep paddock into a celebrated vineyard. The family-run vineyard’s wine also won the James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir.

Tolpuddle Vineyard kept its position as a top Australian Chardonnay, with its 2024 Chardonnay taking home the François De Castella Trophy for Best Young White — adding to previous wins for its 2023, 2022 and 2017 vintages. The 2024 Chardonnay also won the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard, Best Chardonnay and Best Tasmanian Chardonnay.

Freycinet Vineyard won the Dr Tony Jordan Trophy for Best Sparkling with its 2017 Radenti Vintage Rosé. Morris Wines took the Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified Wine with its Old Premium Rare Topaque NV Muscadelle. McWilliams Wines earned the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz for its 660 Shiraz.

Since its inception in 1883 with just 13 entries, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards has grown to receive over 2300 entries from over 450 wineries. Kirrily Waldhorn, Senior Manager of the Melbourne Royal Food and Beverage Awards, said this year’s awards were judged by 31 accomplished wine specialists.

“Our judges are some of Australia’s most respected palates, making this a true benchmark for excellence. Winning at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards isn’t just a trophy — it’s a career-defining moment for wineries and winemakers alike,” she said.

“The depth and diversity of entries this year shows just how vibrant and innovative the Australian wine industry has become. Every medal offers the Melbourne Royal seal of approval, giving consumers confidence they are tasting an exceptional local wine.”

Other winners include:

• Best Sauvignon Blanc: Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc from Serafino Wines, Adelaide Hills, SA.
• Best Riesling: Leonay Riesling, 2025 Riesling from Leo Buring, Eden Valley, SA.
• Best Pinot Gris/Grigio: Pinot Gris, 2025 Pinot Gris from Turkey Flat Vineyards, Adelaide Hills, SA.
• Best Single Varietal White: Fiano, 2025 Fiano from Tahbilk, Goulburn Valley, Vic.
• Best White Blend: Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon from Willow Bridge Estate, Geographe, WA.
• Best Semillon: Vat 1 Semillon, 2017 Semillon from Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Hunter, NSW.
• Best Sweet White Wine: Botrytis Riesling, 2023 Riesling from Millon Wines, Eden Valley, SA.
• Best Rosé: Culley Road, 2025 Grenache from Altschwager Kenneally Wines, McLaren Vale, SA.
• Best Victorian Chardonnay: Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, 2024 Chardonnay from Giant Steps, Yarra Valley, Vic.
• Best South Australian Chardonnay: Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, 2024 Chardonnay from Orlando Wines, Adelaide Hills, SA.
• Best Western Australian Chardonnay: Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay, 2023 Chardonnay from Evans & Tate, Margaret River, WA.
• Best NSW/ACT Chardonnay: SILK, 2024 Chardonnay from Silkman Wines, Hunter, NSW.
• Best Single Varietal Red: Tempranillo, 2024 Tempranillo from Mercer Wines, Orange, NSW.
• Best Grenache: Cellar 13 Grenache, 2024 Grenache from Orlando Wines, Barossa Valley, SA.
• Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Butler Crest Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from Greenpiper Wines, Margaret River, WA.
• Best Red Blend: Grenache Shiraz Mataro, 2024 Grenache from St Hugo Wines, Barossa Valley, SA.
• Best Tasmanian Shiraz: Belbrook Syrah, 2024 Shiraz from OSSA Wines, Tas.
• Best NSW/ACT Shiraz: McWilliams Wines 660 Shiraz, 2024 Shiraz from Calabria Family Wines, ACT - Canberra District.
• Best South Australian Shiraz: Barry Brothers Shiraz, 2022 Shiraz from Jim Barry Wines, Clare Valley, SA.
• Best Victorian Shiraz: Glenlofty Estate - Ridge Block Shiraz, 2024 Shiraz from Blue Pyrenees Estate, Pyrenees, Vic.
• Best Western Australian Shiraz: Scotsdale Shiraz, 2023 Shiraz from Howard Park Wines, Great Southern, WA.
• Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine Trophy: Culley Road, 2025 Grenache from Altschwager Kenneally Wines, McLaren Vale, SA.

Image credit: iStock.com/5PH