North East Victorian Wine Challenge – 2025 Trophy Winners Announced
Awards Presentation – Friday 21 November
The North East Victorian Wine Challenge once again showcased the depth, diversity, and sheer talent of our region’s producers. With entries spanning Prosecco to Provenance classes, and representation from every major North East Victorian wine region, the 2025 awards celebrated winemaking excellence across the spectrum.
VIEW IMAGE GALLERY from the 2025 Awards Presentation.
Below is the full list of trophy results, including sponsors and judges’ presenters.
Best Prosecco Wine
From classes 2–3
Sponsored by: Everton Farm Supplies — presented by Libby Heard
WINNER: Chrismont NV Prosecco
Best Alternative White Wine
From classes 8, 9, 10, 11, 13*
Sponsored by: Francois Frere Cooperages — presented by Steve Bolton
WINNER: Warrabilla Wines 2025 Small Batch Fiano
Best Alternative Red Wine
From classes 17, 20, 21, 22, 23*, 24*
Sponsored by: Alpine Valleys Vignerons — presented by Linda Lewis
WINNER: Billy Button 2024 ‘The Rustic’ Sangiovese
Best Sparkling Wine
From classes 1–5
Sponsored by: Ozpak — presented by Andrew Cross
WINNER: Eminence 2022 Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Best White Table Wine
From classes 6–14
Sponsored by: Laffort — presented by Marco Tovazzi
Supported by Trembath & Taylor, showcasing International wines from their portfolio
WINNER: Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown 2024 Whitlands Chardonnay
Best Red Table Wine
From classes 16–25
Sponsored by: Neumaker — presented by Stephen James
Supported by Trembath & Taylor, with International wines from their portfolio
WINNER: King River Estate Flying Duck 2024 Shiraz
Best Sweet or Fortified Wine
From classes 26–31
Sponsored by: Enartis — to be presented by Tilly Bowden, but was unable to attend
WINNER: Pfeiffer NV Rare Rutherglen Topaque
Best Alpine Valleys Wine
The best example of Alpine Valleys wine
Sponsored by: Kauri — presented by Steve Flamsteed on behalf of Kauri Australia
WINNER: Billy Button 2024 ‘The Rustic’ Sangiovese
Best Beechworth Wine
The best example of Beechworth wine
Sponsored by: Beechworth Vignerons — presented by Jeremy Schmölzer
WINNER: Brokenwood Wines 2023 Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay
Best Glenrowan Wine
The best example of Glenrowan wine
Sponsored by: McGregor Machinery — presented by Steve Flamsteed on behalf of Brendan Breen
WINNER: Pfeiffer Carlyle 2024 Cabernet Merlot
Best King Valley Wine
The best example of King Valley wine
Sponsored by: Wines of the King Valley — presented by Clare Burder, on behalf of Dean Cleave-Smith
WINNER: King River Estate Flying Duck 2024 Shiraz
Best Rutherglen Wine
The best example of Rutherlgen wine
Sponsored by: Winemakers of Rutherglen — presented by Steve Flamsteed on behalf of the Winemakers of Rutherglen
WINNER: Pfeiffer NV Rare Rutherglen Topaque
Best Wine of Provenance
From classes 32 & 33
Sponsored by: North East Wine — supported by Marion & Julian who were able to attend later in the afternoon
WINNER: Billy Button NV Schioppettino (2015, 2021, 2024)
Chief Judge’s Wine to Watch
Sponsored by: CropX — presented by Adam Brown
WINNER: A. Rodda 2024 Whitlands Chardonnay
Viticulturist of Show
Awarded to the nominated viticulturist of the Best Single Vineyard wine.
Sponsored by: TAFCO — presented by Rupert Shaw, General Manager
WINNER: John Butler of King River Estate, with Winemaker Dennis Clarke
BEST WINE OF SHOW
Sponsored by: Falcon UAV — presented by Luke Weekley, with the winner of Wine of Show also received a RIEDEL Superleggero Decanter, valued at $800.
WINNER: King River Estate Flying Duck 2024 Shiraz
WINE CHALLENGE SHIELD
Awarded to the wine region with the highest aggregate points.
| Place | Region | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Glenrowan & Other | 58 |
| 4 | Beechworth | 103 |
| 3 | Rutherglen | 116 |
| 2 | Alpine Valleys | 142 |
| 1 | King Valley | 171 |
This is the first time King Valley has taken out the NEVWC Shield – a huge achievement!
– ENDS
Older news…
2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge: Entries Opening Soon!
Entries open from Friday, 12th September, 2025 (Closing 24th October 2025).
The countdown is on! The 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge is nearly ready for entries – and this year promises to be our biggest and boldest celebration of the North East’s exceptional winemaking talent yet.
Uniting the five renowned wine regions of North East Victoria – Alpine Valleys, Beechworth, Glenrowan, King Valley, and Rutherglen – the Challenge shines a spotlight on the extraordinary diversity, innovation, and tradition that define our part of the wine world.
Whether you’re crafting iconic varietals, exciting alternatives, or world-class fortifieds, this is your chance to have your wines judged by some of the most respected palates in the business.
Meet the 2025 Judging Panel:
We’re thrilled to welcome an extraordinary lineup of judges this year, including:
CHAIR OF JUDGES
Steve Flamsteed – Senior consultant and director at Wine Network Consulting, VIC
JUDGES
- Alice Davidson – Owner and vigneron of Aunt Alice Wines, TAS
- Sandrine Gimon – Winemaker and owner at Wine Rage Consulting, VIC
- Adam Cotterell – Wine buyer at Blackhearts and Sparrows Wine Purveyors, VIC
- Bridget Raffal – Sommelier and owner of Where’s Nick Wine Bar, and Claret Club, Sydney, NSW
- Franco D’Anna – Chief winemaker at Hoddles Creek Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Alicia Noble – Disploma WSET, Sommeliers Australia, VIC
ASSOCIATE JUDGES
- Raquel Jones – Owner and vigneron at Weathercraft Wines, Beechworth, VIC
- Denise Hager – Oenologist at Giant Steps, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Shauna Herbst – Project engineer at Brown Brothers, Milawa, VIC
As part of the judging program, our panel will be immersed in a deep dive into two of North East Victoria’s unique strengths: a special Alternative Variety Masterclass, and an exclusive Fortified Wines Masterclass. Designed to deepen appreciation and sharpen focus, ensuring our judges are primed to evaluate these styles with insight, context, and respect for the region’s bold innovation and deep-rooted heritage.
Why Enter?
- Benchmark your wines against the best of the region
- Gain exposure with industry experts and trade
- Celebrate the excellence and diversity of North East Victorian winemaking – honouring not just the wines, but the viticulturists, winemakers, and entire teams whose passion and craft bring them to life.
- Eligible wines will be considered for other national awards, such as the Victorian Wine Show.
Entries open Friday, September 12, 2025 – so mark your calendar now. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable showcase of North East Victorian wine.
North East Victorian Wine Challenge 