Last week, an assembly of 25+ expert wine judges from across the country gathered in Brisbane for the Royal Queensland Wine Awards (RQWA). Now in its 150th year, the RQWA is the first in a series of wine shows on the capital city wine show circuit, setting the benchmark for the new season’s vintage evaluation.
Chief Judge Julian Langworthy, who is in his second year in the role, highlighted the importance of wine shows in elevating and shaping Australian winemaking. “For 149 years, events such as this have helped guide producers to pursue excellence and refine their wine styles,” he said. “Australian wine should always represent quality, diversity and a strong sense of place, and these are the qualities that the Royal Queensland Awards seek to recognise and encourage.”
This year, the expert panel, whose experience spans winemaking, hospitality, retail, media and education, reviewed hundreds of wines from across the country, and the RQWA welcomed 60 new exhibitors. Just 30 wines took home trophies, however, and we’re highlighting three of them here.
Read more about the winners for Best Rosé, Best Semillon and Best Riesling below, and click through to shop the wines. Plus, discover the full list of winners at rqa.com.au.
BEST ROSÉ TROPHY
Andrew Peace Wines Masterpeace Rosé 2026
A solid pale salmon to the edge, with a high level of clarity. On the nose, a delicate balance of strawberry sweetness and raspberry overtones, while maintaining a fresh, dry crispness. Pleasingly textural with good length and a balanced finish. Soft strawberry, raspberry and red apple with a gentle fruity sweetness on the palate. Like any timeless masterpiece, a great wine engages the senses and lingers in memory. An experience we strive to create behind every glass of Masterpeace. – Andrew Peace Wines.
RRP $17.50 | apwines.com.au | Shop this wine
BEST SEMILLON TROPHY
Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon 2019
This iconic wine delivers power, length and intensity, with a weighty, expansive palate and remarkable complexity that set it apart. The aroma is so seamless that it is difficult to dissect, but a closer look reveals alluring hints of charred citrus, lemon butter, meringue and flint. The palate is deeply satisfying and, though it has gained extra dimensions, softness and layers with age, it retains an inherent freshness and youthful beauty. – Toni Paterson MW, Halliday Wine Companion.
RRP $120 | Drink to 2031 | brokenwood.com.au | Shop this wine
BEST RIESLING TROPHY
HEAD Wines Riesling 2025
Pale with a flash of green, here's a great, dry, mineral-dredged Eden Valley riesling featuring freshly squeezed lime juice, a touch of Bickford's, grapefruit and crunchy green apple with hints of lime zest, meadow flowers, crushed quartz, a flash of dried herbs and Christmas lily. High tensile, sleek and keenly focused, the '25 is all about a sizzling line and limey precision, and it's in great form indeed. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2038 | headwines.com.au | Shop this wine
