The Yarra Valley’s Oakridge 864 Close Planted Block Syrah 2024 has been awarded the inaugural Matthew Jukes Memorial International Judges Trophy at the 2026 Sydney Royal Wine Show.

The trophy has been renamed in memory of Matthew Jukes, who served as this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show international
guest judge and passed away suddenly on 6 August 2026.

Returning to the judging panel 20 years after his first Sydney Royal judging appearance, Jukes said the Yarra Valley Syrah “stood out as an exemplary style of a single vineyard site expressing all of its elemental powers into the bottle. I absolutely adored this wine.”

Jukes also noted the high-definition focus that came into the classes when judging this year, remarking: “There has been more of a sense of place than ever before. The progress that Australia makes year on year is astonishing.”

The Oakridge win is a bittersweet one, following Endeavour Group appointing Colliers as the selling agent for winery as part of the drinks giant’s restructure of its Pinnacle Drinks division.

Endeavour Group also terminated chief winemaker David Bicknell last month, after more than 24 years at Oakridge Wines.

Overall, this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show presented 105 gold medals to winemakers from across Australia, with about 58.5% of all 1537 wines entered being recognised with a gold, silver, or bronze medal.

“I highly recommend consumers explore the trophy-winning wines and be open to viewing the gold, silver and bronze medal winners. This is a sure way of knowing a wine is of the highest quality and has been recognised as one of the best in Australia,” said Chair of Judges Mike De Iuliis.

“I also encourage anyone interested in tasting these wines to come along to the RAS’ Grape, Grain & Graze Festival on September 19 for a chance to try all our trophy, gold and silver medal-winning wines for themselves.”

To view all the 2026 Sydney Royal Wine Show results, including gold, silver and bronze medal winners or to learn more about 200 years of the Sydney Royal Wine Show visit www.rasnsw.com.au/wineshow.

Learn more about the 2026 Grape, Grain & Graze Festival at https://www.rasnsw.com.au/ggg