The Vintage Journal has today released the South Australian Wine Guide 2026, a comprehensive digital resource dedicated to the state’s diverse wine regions and top rated wines. Launched to shine a light on South Australia’s finest producers, the guide uses a 100-point scoring system to rank the best of the best. Of the 1300+ wines reviewed, four wines stood above the rest achieving perfect scores.
Notably, every single 100-point wine hails from the Barossa Valley:
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Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2021 was praised as being a ‘landmark’ vintage for the wine with ‘wonderful definition, vinosity and torque’ and cellaring potential until 2048.
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Hentley Farm Clos Otto Shiraz 2022 was noted by judges as ‘a great Barossa Shiraz of exceptional definition, density and resonance. Brilliant.’
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Seppeltsfield 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1925 was described by the critics as ‘a wonderful expression of Australian wine history and ambition. A living curio to share.’
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Torbreck Vintners RunRig Shiraz Viognier 2022 was celebrated for its notes of espresso, mocha, and dark plum, followed by a gravelly finish.
In total, 62 wines received exceptional scores of 97 points and above. Of these wines,
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42 were from the Barossa (67.7%)
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7 were from McLaren Vale (11.3%)
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4 were from Clare Valley (6.45%)
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3 were from Adelaide Hills (4.8%)
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2 were from Coonawarra (3.2%)
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2 were from Langhorne Creek (3.2%)
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2 were from Wrattonbully (3.2%)
Iconic Barossa Valley winery Henschke was the producer listed the most times in the top 62 wines, with four of its wines included, and scores ranging from 97 to 100.
The guide features reviews from 10 contributing critics from around Australia, ranging from Masters of Wine to leading sommeliers, including Andrew Caillard MW, Tony Love, Ken Gargett, Jeni Port, Angus Hughson, and rising stars like Shanteh Wale, Cyndal Petty and Lisa Cardelli.
Publisher and Author, Angus Hughson, says he created the South Australian Wine Guide to rebalance the national conversation around wine, “When I first entered the wine trade, over 20 years ago, South Australia was widely described as ‘The Wine State’. While there has been a movement across all states and regions, increasingly the wines from South Australia have been forgotten or undervalued.
“South Australia is by far the largest state in terms of vineyard area and wine production with a long and proud history. The South Australian Wine Guide has been launched to rebalance the ledger and proudly put every South Australian region on a pedestal.”
Australian Wine Journalist and contributor to the guide, Tony Love, comments, “This year’s South Australian Wine Guide clearly shows there is a thriving culture of provenance and increasing awareness of what each site and style of wine can achieve in the right hands. Every vintage brings more wines of higher quality than the last, wines which reflect their regional roots and what the seasons have presented.
“There’s undeniable attraction in every glass in this selection, and an exciting trend towards contemporary drinkability across every varietal class.
“South Australia’s winemakers continue to show they have the diversity of region, variety and style to be at the forefront of a vibrant and evolving consumer desire for excellence and value across all sectors of the wine market,” said Tony Love.
Regional Trends:
The guide highlights every region in South Australia from the world famous Barossa Valley to up and coming subregions of Limestone Coast, offering insights into each:
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Limestone Coast the guide tips this as the region to watch, noting it is “about to have its well-deserved time in the sun.”
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In Adelaide Hills, the guide notes “alternative” varieties like Fiano, Albariño, and Gamay, now a key part of the region’s identity.
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In Barossa, the guide points to the 2021 vintage as possibly “one of the finest vintages ever enjoyed by the region”, while Grenache is noted as the most intriguing variety of the moment.
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The guide notes Eden Valley & Clare Valleys experienced a “uniquely challenging’ vintage in 2025 due to dry conditions and frost, yet produced mineral-driven, high-quality Rieslings.
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McLaren Vale was highlighted as a leader in sustainability with nearly 40% of vineyards certified organic or biodynamic, and a stronghold for Grenache.
