Meadowbank Wines in Tassie wins Jimmy Watson

Nearly fifty 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 the ultimate 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 persistence to transform a Derwent Valley sheep paddock to one of Australia’s most celebrated vineyards.

The family-run vineyard’s wine also won the James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir.

It is the fourth time Tasmania has won the Jimmy Watson in 15 years after not having won one until 2011 when Glaetzer-Dixon Family 2010 Mon Pere Shiraz won it.

Tolpuddle Vineyard has once again affirmed its place at the pinnacle of 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 into one of Australia’s most esteemed wine shows, with over 2,300 entries from over 450 wineries.

Senior Manager Melbourne Royal Food and Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards was judged by 31 accomplished wine specialists and presented a total of 1,212 medals – including 155 Gold, 298 Silver, and 759 Bronze.

“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.”

Best Sauvignon Blanc
Serafino Wines 2025 Vineyard Selection Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Best Riesling
Leo Buring 2025 Leonay Eden Valley Riesling

Best Pinot Gris/Grigio
Turkey Flat Vineyards 2025 Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris

Best Single Varietal White
Tahbilk 2025 Goulburn Valley Fiano

Best White Blend
Willow Bridge Estate 2025 Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2017 Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon

Best Sweet White Wine
Millon Wnes 2023 Eden Valley Botrytis Riesling

Best Rosé
Altschwager Kenneally Wines 2025 Culley Road McLaren Vale Grenache

Best Victorian Chardonnay
Giant Steps 2024 Sexton Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Best South Australian Chardonnay
Orlando Wines 2024 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Best Western Australian Chardonnay
Evans & Tate 2023 Redbrook Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay

Best NSW/ACT Chardonnay
Silkman Wines 2024 SILK Hunter Valley Chardonnay