The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards—home to the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red Wine—is welcoming entries for 2026.

Established in 1883, the awards have evolved into one of Australia’s most respected and prestigious wine competitions.

Attracting more than 2300 entries annually, the competition continues to reflect contemporary winemaking practices, evolving consumer trends and the rich diversity of Australia’s wine regions.

Beyond the iconic Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy – affectionately known as ‘The Jimmy’ and one of the Australian wine industry’s highest honours recognising the legacy of beloved Carlton wine merchant and wine bar owner Jimmy Watson—the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards celebrate excellence across every facet of winemaking.

In total, more than 20 major trophies will be awarded across Australia’s leading wine styles and regions, including Best Sparkling, Best Riesling, Best Chardonnay, Best Shiraz, Best Pinot Noir, Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Best Grenache, Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine and Best Design, alongside state-based trophies recognising excellence in key varietals.

While the 2026 awards submission stays relatively the same as previous years, notable updates include streamlined judging for Best Single Varietal White, Best Single Varietal Red and Best Red Blend, with classes no longer split by varietal and vintage but by varietal only.

Melbourne Royal Senior Manager Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said: “Each year, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards provide a vital platform for Australian winemakers to benchmark their wines against the very best.

“Beyond the opportunity to compete for the industry’s most prestigious honours, including the iconic Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, the awards celebrate excellence across every region and style, while recognising the innovation and craftsmanship driving Australian winemaking forward.”

Chair of Judges Marcus Satchell said: “The standard of entries continues to be exceptionally high year on year, reflecting the depth and diversity of Australian winemaking and so I’m looking forward to seeing what 2026 brings.

“Our judging process is rigorous and considered, ensuring every wine is assessed fairly and consistently through blind tasting to identify true excellence across each category.”

Judging for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards will take place at Melbourne Showgrounds from 19–23 October.

For more information about the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, visit www.melbourneroyal.com.au/melbourne-royal-wine-awards