200 Years, One Glass at a Time

A milestone worth raising a glass to

Two hundred years of the Sydney Royal Wine Show is a remarkable thing to celebrate. Doing it inside the Sydney Showground made the occasion feel even more significant.

The Sydney Royal Wine Show dates back to 1826. That was when wine was first included in the Agricultural Society of NSW competition. Two centuries later, it remains one of Australia’s most respected wine shows.

In 2026, around 1,500 wines were assessed by 30 judges. More than 10,000 glasses were poured across four days. We were lucky enough to experience part of that story firsthand at the symposium.

Thanks to Emma and Trish from Mastermind Consulting for inviting us to celebrate 200 years of the Sydney Royal Wine Show. The Wine Show Conversation brought together some of the people shaping Australian wine. There was plenty of history in the room. There was also plenty of conversation about its future.

Our Sydney Royal Experience

With a packed program, we could only fit into The International Perspective – The Evolution of Chardonnay masterclass. The session was led by Samantha Connew, winemaker of Stargazer Wines. Samantha brought plenty of knowledge and insight to the tasting.

The highlight was the 2023 Evans & Tate Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay, with its beautiful weight, creamy mouthfeel and impressive balance. It was rich without feeling heavy, with enough freshness to keep us coming back for another sip.

We also met with PJ Charteris from Charteris Wines, a veteran winemaker and respected wine-show judge with more than 30 years in the industry. As a former Sydney Royal Chair of Judges, his perspective added another layer to the conversation around the show and its role in Australian wine.

As we missed the first session, Trish kindly managed to sneak us in to taste four of the wines from the previous session. There was a mix of Rieslings and the very delicious 2013 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon.

The wine had developed beautifully with age. Our first thought was burnt buttered popcorn. It was savoury, complex and incredibly moreish. It was also a brilliant reminder of what Hunter Valley Semillon can become with time.

Where the wine meets the standard

At its heart, Sydney Royal is about judging wines on their own merits. Wines are tasted blind, with experienced judges bringing different perspectives to the table. The aim is not simply to award medals. It is to benchmark quality, recognise excellence and help Australian wine continue to evolve.

The Sydney Royal judging panels bring together experienced wine professionals from across the industry. Winemakers, sommeliers, educators, retailers, journalists and other specialists contribute their expertise. Each panel includes a Chair, Senior Judges and Associate Judges. The Associate Judge program also helps develop the next generation of judges. That creates an important connection between experience and the future.

There is also an international perspective. The International Judge brings an independent view of Australian wine. Matthew Jukes was the International Guest Judge for the 2026 show.

It is a fitting part of the Sydney Royal philosophy. Australian wine should be judged confidently at home. It should also be understood within the wider international wine landscape.

The judging process is rigorous. The numbers are only part of the story. Behind every score is discussion, experience and judgement. Ultimately, it is about recognising wines that demonstrate quality within their class and sometimes, the most memorable wine is not necessarily the one holding a trophy.

A Toast to Matthew Jukes

There was an added poignancy to this year’s celebration. Matthew Jukes was the Sydney Royal Wine Show’s 2026 International Guest Judge. He had previously judged at the show in 2006. Twenty years later, he returned for its 200th anniversary.

Matthew was a passionate advocate for Australian wine. His work took Australian wine to audiences well beyond our shores. He was also a generous communicator. He had a remarkable ability to make wine feel exciting and accessible.

His sudden passing on 6 August has been deeply felt across the wine community. He was only 58. Knowing he had been part of this milestone makes the 2026 show feel even more significant. His presence was still felt during the Wine Show Conversation.

For us, it was a poignant reminder of why these gatherings matter. Wine is about bottles and vineyards, but it is equally about people. It is about conversations, knowledge and shared experiences. Matthew understood that better than most.

So, as Sydney Royal celebrated 200 years of wine, we also remembered someone who championed it so passionately.

Raising a Glass to the Next 200 Years

Two hundred years on, the Sydney Royal Wine Show remains a celebration of Australian wine and the people behind it.

For us, the day was about great conversations, memorable wines and a glimpse into the work behind one of Australia’s most respected wine competitions. We left with a renewed appreciation for the role Sydney Royal continues to play in Australian wine.

With Matthew Jukes in our thoughts, we raise a glass to the passion, curiosity and generosity he brought to the industry.

Here’s to the next 200 years.