Australia has once again proven its winemaking credentials at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, claiming four Best in Show medals and cementing its position as a global wine powerhouse that restaurateurs should take serious notice of.
The country’s stellar performance at the world’s largest and most influential wine competition saw Australian wines earn four Best in Show medals, 11 Platinum awards, and an impressive 65 Gold medals from the record field of entries.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is Australia’s exceptional “medal efficiency” – earning 4.04 medals per 1,000 hectares of vineyard, the highest rate in the world.
Top winners for your restaurant’s wine list
The cream of Australian wine was represented across multiple regions and varietals, offering restaurateurs diverse options to elevate their wine programs:
Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2024 – This Best in Show winner showcases the Adelaide Hills’ exceptional cool-climate Chardonnay potential, perfect for pairing with seafood dishes and lighter fare.
Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River 2022 – Margaret River’s flagship variety delivered another Best in Show performance, ideal for premium red wine selections and perfect with grilled meats and aged cheeses.
Barossa Old Vine Company Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2022 – The Barossa Valley’s signature varietal claimed Best in Show status, representing Australia’s most iconic wine style and a must-have for any serious wine list.
Trentham Estate Reserve Shiraz, Heathcote 2023 – Heathcote’s distinctive terroir produced another Best in Show Shiraz, offering an alternative regional expression of Australia’s flagship variety.
Margaret River and the Barossa lead the charge
Margaret River emerged as the standout region, excelling across multiple categories and reinforcing its reputation as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. The region’s consistent quality across both Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay makes it an essential inclusion for wine programs seeking reliability and prestige.
The Barossa Valley continued its dominance in Shiraz, with the region’s old-vine expressions particularly impressive. These wines offer restaurants the opportunity to showcase Australia’s most famous wine style while providing excellent value for premium positioning.
Value plays for smart operators
For restaurateurs seeking quality at accessible price points, the Hunter Valley’s McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2018 appeared in the prestigious Top 30 Value Golds list.
This recognition highlights the Hunter Valley’s exceptional value proposition in premium white wines, particularly aged Semillon—a uniquely Australian style that can set wine lists apart.
New Zealand’s star turn
Australia’s neighbour New Zealand also delivered exceptional results, earning 303 medals including a Best in Show for Craggy Range Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2024. With an extraordinary medal efficiency of 84.2 medals per million hectolitres of wine production, New Zealand wines represent concentrated quality that resonates with discerning diners.
New Zealand’s strength in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay provides perfect complement to Australian varietals, allowing restaurants to offer a comprehensive Southern Hemisphere wine experience.
The efficiency factor
What sets both Australia and New Zealand apart isn’t just their absolute medal counts, but their remarkable efficiency in converting vineyard resources into award-winning wines. Australia’s achievement of 643 medals total – the fourth highest globally – combined with the world’s best medal-per-hectare ratio, demonstrates a winemaking culture focused on quality over quantity.
This efficiency translates directly to value for restaurants: these wines represent regions and producers that consistently deliver exceptional quality, reducing the risk of poor selections and ensuring customer satisfaction.
