Pikes Wines was the standout performer at the 2026 Clare Valley Wine Show, taking home six trophies at the Trophy Presentation Event on Friday 25 September, including the region’s top honour, the Jim Barry Perpetual Trophy for Best Wine of Show.

At the heart of Pikes’ success was the 2021 The Merle Riesling, which was named Best Wine of Show, Best Riesling of Show, Best Single Vineyard Wine and Best Exhibition Section Dry Riesling (2024 Vintage and Older). The Merle also claimed the Br John May Perpetual Trophy for Wine of Provenance, awarded across the 2026, 2021 and 2014 vintages, recognising the consistency and ageworthiness of the wine over more than a decade.

A special congratulations also goes to Pikes viticulturist Michael Harrold, recipient of The Ben Mitchell Perpetual Viticulturist Trophy in recognition of the vineyard work behind these results.

It’s fitting that a mature Riesling was crowned Best Wine of Show in the Clare Valley, a region whose reputation has long been built on the variety and its ability to evolve beautifully with age.

Other notable winners on the night included Jim Barry Wines, named Best Exhibitor of Show and awarded the Mick Knappstein Trophy for Best Current Vintage Riesling for its 2026 The Florita Riesling; Mockingbird Hill, whose 2024 Dr JWD Bain Clare Valley Shiraz won the Carl Sobels Trophy for Best Vintage Section Dry Red; and Crabtree Wines, recognised as Best Small Producer. Pauletts’ 2024 109 Reserve Riesling received the Chair of Judges Award.

Congratulations to all exhibitors and to the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association on another successful show celebrating the people, vineyards and wines of the Clare Valley.

The full list of 2026 Clare Valley Wine Show results is available HERE

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