Clare Valley to Launch The Australian Riesling Challenge
A new national wine competition dedicated exclusively to Australian Riesling.
Clare Valley to Launch The Australian Riesling Challenge
A new national stage for one of Australia’s great wine varieties.
The Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association is excited to announce plans to establish The Australian Riesling Challenge – a new national wine competition dedicated exclusively to Australian Riesling, with the inaugural event proposed for 2027.
For generations, the Clare Valley has played a defining role in the story of Australian Riesling.
As the recognised Home of Australian Riesling, our region has helped build the reputation of this remarkable variety both nationally and internationally. We believe the time is right to take the next step, by creating a national platform that celebrates the quality, diversity and future of Australian Riesling, wherever it is grown.
Importantly, this is not about one region.
Australia produces outstanding Riesling across a diverse range of regions, climates and styles. The Australian Riesling Challenge will seek to bring those producers together, recognise excellence and create greater conversation and excitement around the category as a whole.
Building on a strong legacy
We also acknowledge the significant contribution of the Canberra International Riesling Challenge, which championed Riesling and recognised excellence in the variety for more than two decades.
The Clare Valley's Australian Riesling Challenge is not intended to replicate that event. Instead, our ambition is to build on that legacy and create a fresh national platform focused on Australia’s Riesling producers and the future of the category.
As CVWGA Wine Show Sub Committee Chair Jarrad Steele explains:
“As a region renowned for the variety, the Clare Valley has a responsibility to continue leading conversations about the variety and investing in initiatives that strengthen its future.”
More than a wine competition
Our vision extends beyond judging wines and awarding trophies.
We see The Australian Riesling Challenge as an opportunity to bring together competition, education, trade engagement, media exposure and consumer experiences – all with the goal of elevating Australian Riesling and reinforcing its place among the world’s great wine styles.
Ultimately, we want to create a competition that every Australian Riesling producer wants to win.
One that recognises excellence, generates national conversation, showcases the diversity of Australia’s Riesling regions and strengthens the category for the future.
Planning is now underway, with the concept continuing to be developed in consultation with the CVWGA Board and Winemakers Committees.
Further details about the competition format and inaugural event will be announced later this year.
Our intention is for The Australian Riesling Challenge to become an annual event hosted in the Clare Valley, bringing the Australian Riesling community together in the spiritual home of this extraordinary variety while celebrating the wines, regions and producers shaping the future of Australian Riesling.
We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead.
