History Made: Willunga 100 Grenache Wins Prime Minister’s Trophy at National Wine Show

For the first time in its 50-year history, the National Wine Show of Australia has awarded its top honour, the prestigious Prime Minister’s Trophy, to a Grenache. And not just any Grenache, but our very own 2023 Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Grenache, grown on our estate vineyard Blind Spot in the heart of Blewitt Springs.

At the awards ceremony held at Australian Parliament House, our winemaker Renae Hirsch accepted the Prime Ministers Wine of Show trophy with pride, marking a watershed moment for both our winery and the variety itself. This is more than an accolade for a single vintage, it’s a turning point in the recognition of Grenache as one of Australia’s most exciting and expressive varietals.

National Wine Show Chair of Judges, Matt Harrop, described the wine as “incredibly beautiful,” noting that Grenache is now “riding the zeitgeist” of modern Australian wine. Once considered a workhorse grape, Grenache is undergoing a renaissance, and producers like Willunga 100 are leading the way by championing old vines, low-intervention winemaking, and thoughtful vineyard practices.

“There’s an amazing resource of old Grenache vines, mainly in the Barossa and McLaren Vale,” Harrop said. “Willunga 100 and others like it are letting the fruit do the talking and creating incredibly beautiful wines.”

Our 2023 vintage stood out among more than a thousand entries, narrowly edging out the exceptional Deep Woods Estate 2023 Reserve Chardonnay for the top trophy. To add to the celebration, our 2023 Trott Vineyard Grenache, also from Blewitt Springs, was a finalist for the Grenache Trophy and received a Gold medal.

This win represents not just a triumph for Willunga 100, but a broader shift in how Australian Grenache is perceived, judged, and enjoyed. It’s an honour to be recognised on such a national stage, and we share this moment with our dedicated team, the Blewitt Springs and McLaren Vale community, and every wine lover who has believed in the potential of Grenache.