A $25 South Australian Riesling has taken out the top award in its class at one of the country’s major wine shows.
Patrick of Coonawarra’s 2026 Two Blocks Riesling was named Best Riesling in Show at the 2026 Cowra Wine Show, receiving 96 points and Top Gold, the highest score among 18 Rieslings entered in the class.
For winemaker Luke Tocaciu, the national recognition is particularly special given his family’s history with the variety.
“My dad, Patrick, was a master of Riesling from his early days making wines from the Eden Valley,” Luke said.
“So, to have the 2026 Two Blocks recognised as the Best Riesling in Show is something he would have been incredibly proud of.”
The Cowra Wine Show is open to wineries from across Australia, with the Riesling class bringing together wines from several of the country’s well-known Riesling regions.
The wines were judged by a four-person panel comprising Natalie Cleghorn, Emma Shaw, Stephanie Sheather and Peter Shone.
While the 2026 Two Blocks came out on top, the winery’s 2018 Aged Riesling also performed strongly, scoring 90 points and a silver medal.
The result was not necessarily expected by Luke, who said the 2026 vintage presented some challenges in the vineyard.
“It was a cooler, later season with some challenging rain around harvest that made me worry,” he said.
“But once the fruit was in the winery it came in with beautiful natural acidity and really expressive aromatics, so I knew fairly early that we had something pretty special from the 2026 vintage.”
The Two Blocks Riesling gets its name from the two vineyards that contribute to the wine, with fruit grown in Coonawarra and Wrattonbully.
The winery says it is the only Riesling producer from Wrattonbully, with the two regions bringing different characteristics to the final wine.
“The Wrattonbully component tends to give a lovely floral lift, while Coonawarra brings that citrus character, lime and natural acidity,” Luke said.
The finished wine is described as bright and energetic, with florals, fresh lime and citrus followed by a lemon sorbet character on the palate.
Lively acidity and a touch of fruit sweetness balance the wine, while a clean finish makes it an easy option to reach for as the weather warms up.
Luke said the wine is designed to showcase the freshness and purity of Riesling, while the winery also experiments with the variety across its Méthode range using techniques including skin contact and oak.
Despite picking up a major national trophy, the 2026 Two Blocks Riesling remains relatively easy on the wallet at $25 a bottle.
Adelaide wine lovers can pick it up directly from Patrick of Coonawarra, as well as selected independent retailers and venues including St Peters Cellars, Belair Fine Wines, The Somerton Bar & Bistro and The Torrens Arms Hotel.
Those heading south can also visit the winery’s Coonawarra cellar door to try the award-winning drop for themselves.
For the small family-owned winery, the trophy is a recognition of more than just what made it into the bottle.
“Especially the work that goes into the vineyards, as this is where the whole journey starts,” Luke said.
“It’s my job as a winemaker, not to stuff it up along the way.”
