The Barossa’s very best wines have been crowned at one of the region’s most unique wine shows, with Seppeltsfield and Hentley Farm taking out major trophies at the 2026 Marananga Wine Show.
Now in its 23rd year, the boutique wine show highlights wines from the Western Ridge of the Barossa, offering a chance to see what is being produced in one of the state’s most distinctive sub-regions.
This year, 127 wines from 42 exhibitors were entered, with nine producers making their debut at the show.
The results come at a challenging time for the Australian wine industry, but organisers say the strong turnout is a sign of the resilience and community spirit of the Western Ridge.
“The wine industry is going through extremely challenging times, and it is events like these that bring our community together,” shared Marananga Wine Show chairperson Sam Pfeiffer. “Sharing a glass of wine and breaking bread with others around you, who are all in a similar position, is important.”
The show was originally established more than two decades ago by the Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church congregation to celebrate the local wine industry and continues to support the region today.
Among this year’s biggest winners was Seppeltsfield Wines, which took home the Cooperage 1912 trophy for Best Wine of Show for its 2024 The Westing Barossa Shiraz. The wine also claimed the trophy for Best Shiraz 2024.
Seppeltsfield also picked up the Best Red Varietal trophy for its 2025 Barossa Carmenere, highlighting the growing interest in alternative varieties being produced across the region.
Hentley Farm also had plenty to celebrate, with its 2025 The Old Legend Grenache taking out the People’s Choice trophy and Best Grenache.
Barossa Valley Estate was named Best Exhibitor of Show, and also taking home the Best Rosé trophy for its 2026 Rosé.
Murray Street Vineyards enjoyed a particularly impressive showing, claiming trophies for Best Dry Red Blend, Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Best Shiraz 2023 or older.
Other major winners included Lienert Vineyards, which took out Best White Wine for its 2026 Tierra del Puerco ‘Milano’ Fiano, Elderton for Best Grenache Dominant Blend and Alkina for Best Shiraz 2025 or younger.
The judges were also impressed by the diversity of varieties coming out of the Western Ridge, with Fiano, Nero d’Avola and Rhône white blends showing plenty of promise.
Chair of Judges Tim Dolan said, “Despite the challenges of the 2024 vintage, including spring frost, dry conditions throughout the growing season and a very warm harvest period, the Shiraz showed remarkably well. The best wines combined power and concentration with freshness, structure and finesse, demonstrating the resilience of the region and the skill of its growers and winemakers.
“The (other) Red Varieties and White Varieties classes continue to build momentum, with warmer-climate varieties such as Fiano, Nero d’Avola and blends of Rhône white varietals showing great promise. There was also a Carménère that seriously wowed the judges, and I encourage everyone to seek it out and give it a try. The emergence of these varieties reflects some exciting new directions for the region, and I encourage wine lovers to seek these wines out.”
The judging panel included Tim as Chair of Judges, senior judges Alexey Doumbouya and Jacinta Jenkins, and Associate Judge Dylan Kalleske.
With 61 per cent of entries receiving medals, the 2026 show awarded 13 gold, 23 silver and 42 bronze medals.
Chief Steward Liam O’Dwyer said, “This show exists to shine a proper spotlight on what makes this sub-region so special. It’s no secret that the wine game feels extra challenging lately, so events like this are a great way to get together and celebrate the wines and the region we love.”
Beyond the trophies and tastings, the Marananga Wine Show is also helping invest in the next generation of South Australia’s wine industry, with proceeds from the public tasting donated to the wine programs at Nuriootpa High School and Faith Lutheran College.
Marananga Wine Show Trophy Winners
Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church Marananga trophy for Best Exhibitor of Show: Barossa Valley Estate
Appellation at The Louise trophy for People’s Choice: Hentley Farm 2025 The Old Legend Grenache
Nitschke Furniture trophy for Best White Wine: Lienert Vineyards 2026 Tierra del Puerco ‘Milano’ Fiano
MCC Adelaide trophy for Best Rosé: Barossa Valley Estate 2026 Rosé
The Greenock trophy for Best Grenache: Hentley Farm 2025 The Old Legend Grenache
Winechek trophy for Best Grenache Dominant Blend: Elderton 2025 Estate GSM
Fabro-Weld trophy for Best Dry Red Blend: Murray Street Vineyards 2024 Artisan Cabernet Shiraz
Barossa Vine Improvement trophy for Best Red Varietal: Seppeltsfield 2025 Barossa Carmenere
SANECTOR trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Murray Street Vineyards 2023 Greenock Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Tanunda Cellars trophy for Best Shiraz 2025 or younger: Alkina 2025 Estate Shiraz
Barossa Valley Ballooning trophy for Best Shiraz 2024: Seppeltsfield 2024 The Westing Barossa Shiraz
Winegrapes Australia trophy for Best Shiraz 2023 or older: Murray Street Vineyards 2023 Greenock Estate Shiraz
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