Two-hundred-year-old wine show ages gracefully

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) invites Australian wine producers to be part of history as entries open for the 200th anniversary of the Sydney Royal Wine Show.

For two centuries, the show has continued to elevate the quality of Australian wine: evolving with the times, shining a light on established and emerging producers alike, and championing excellence across every vintage.

To recognise the incredible contribution the Sydney Royal Wine Show has made to the Australian wine industry, the RAS is hosting an industry symposium, Sydney Royal 200: The Wine Show Conversation, following the judging on July 31.

Two hundred places are available for wine professionals to explore the wine show system and go behind the scenes to see how wine is assessed.

Hosted by some of the wine personalities who have shaped where we are today, this is a full day of tasting, debate and celebration of Australian wine.

Priority early access is given to 2026 Sydney Royal Wine Show entrants, with general ticket sales opening on May 1.

Sally Evans, wine committee member and RAS councillor, says, “Over 200 years it has been a constant theme of cherishing all that is great about the past, while always having the future front of mind, embracing innovation, fostering youth and nurturing communities as we move collectively into the next generation.”

Throughout its history, the Sydney Royal Wine has been guided by some of the great figures of Australian wine – Len Evans AO, James Halliday AM, Brian Croser AO, Iain Riggs AM, Samantha Connew, PJ Charteris, Sarah Crowe, to name a few.

Wine display in 1977 showing Yalumba, McWilliam’s and Southern Vales.

Now under the leadership of chair of judges Mike de Iuliis and joined this year by international judge Matthew Jukes, the 2026 show promises to be exceptional.

A Sydney Royal medal is one of the most recognised and trusted marks in Australian wine.

In a milestone year like this, that recognition carries more weight than ever.

Since 1826, hundreds of thousands of wines have been evaluated with rigour, care and expertise.

Many who started their careers as associate judges have worked their way up the ranks and now lead some of the best wineries in the country.

Since 2013, more than $275,000 has been invested to support 63 scholars, advancing the next generation’s understanding of viticulture, winemaking and wine assessment.

Many of these scholars are now judges, and join winemakers, journalists, sommeliers and retailers to assess wines blindly, providing critical, objective insights.

For smaller wineries without access to formal technical consultation, this rigorous assessment can be genuinely transformative.

Chair of wine committee Angus Barnes says: “The Sydney Royal Wine Show has been setting the benchmark for Australian wine quality since 1826, and that history gives both exhibitors and consumers something genuinely valuable – trust and integrity.

“The show has kept pace with every shift in Australian wine – from fortified styles to the classic varietal wines Australia is celebrated for globally, through to the emerging styles reflecting how Australian drinking continues to evolve.

“With nearly 2,000 wines entered on average each year, being part of Sydney Royal means being part of the institution that has helped showcase the best of Australian wine to the world for two centuries.”

Entries are open and they close on May 20.