At this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition — often called the “Olympics of Wine” — Western Australia’s boutique region walked away with 39 gold medals, led by a Cabernet Sauvignon that scored an extraordinary 98 points, the highest of the entire event.
Xanadu’s 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon took the highest score of the event at 98 points, while Deep Woods Estate’s Reserve Chardonnay 2023 and 2024 vintages both scored 97 points, helping the winery claim the “IWSC 2025 Western Australia Producer of the Year” award.
Chardonnay led the way with 20 gold medals, cementing Margaret River’s global reputation with the varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon followed with nine golds, while Shiraz/Syrah earned four across Margaret River and Frankland River. Sauvignon Blanc and blends received three, with Chenin Blanc, Savagnin, and Pinot Noir each collecting one.
“We brought our international panel of judges to Margaret River so they could understand the wines in the context of their land and culture,” said IWSC CEO Christelle Guibert. “The exceptional medal results demonstrate how Western Australia continues to deliver world-class wines that resonate with global audiences.”
Founded in 1969 by Austrian wine chemist Anton Massel, the IWSC is widely regarded as the “Olympics of Wine” and is known for its strict judging standards, including a daily tasting cap of 65 wines to ensure each glass is given equal attention.
Following a successful Oceania debut in 2023, the IWSC has returned to Margaret River for the third consecutive year in partnership with the Margaret River Wine Association (MRWA) and Wines of Western Australia.
This year’s judging panel included eight experts from the UK and Australia: Sarah Abbott MW, Vincenzo Arnese, Joseph Arthur, Andrew Caillard MW, Annette Lacey MW, Rebecca Palmer, Gabrielle Poy, and Tom Kline. The blind tastings, held from August 26 to 28 at Vasse Felix’s Art Gallery, covered more than 200 wines across key varietals, culminating in 39 gold medals.
Amanda Whiteland, CEO of the Margaret River Wine Association, said hosting one of the world’s most respected competitions brought invaluable exposure to the region. “Inviting leading retailers, sommeliers, and media from the UK and Australia to experience our wines, culture, and natural environment first-hand is the best way to build lasting recognition of Margaret River as a world-class wine region,” she said.
Margaret River, known for elegant Chardonnays and powerful Cabernets, remains one of the smallest yet most prestigious wine regions in Australia, producing just 2% of the nation’s output.
According to Guibert, all 2025 IWSC gold medal-winning wines would compete for the competition’s highest honor: the Trophy awards. The final tasting was held in London on September 11, with results announced on September 18. Shortlists for “Producer of the Year” will follow from September 29, with winners revealed at the IWSC Awards Ceremony on November 12.
Here are all the Gold medal winning wines:
1.Xanadu Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – Gold 98 – Margaret River
2.Deep Woods Estate – Reserve Chardonnay 2023 – Gold 97 – Margaret River
3.Deep Woods Estate – Reserve Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 97 – Margaret River
4.Greenpiper Wines – John George Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – Gold 97 – Margaret River
5.Domaine Naturaliste – Rachis Syrah 2023 – Gold 97 – Margaret River
6.Domaine Naturaliste – Artus Chardonnay 2023 – Gold 96 – Margaret River
7.Ferngrove – The Stirlings Bluff Knoll Cab Shiraz Malbec 2023 – Gold 96 – Frankland River
8.House of Cards – ‘Ace High’ Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 96 – Margaret River
9.Howard Park Wines – Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 96 – Margaret River
10.Nocturne – Sv Forrest Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 96 – Margaret River
11.Nocturne – Sv Wilson Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 96 – Margaret River
12.Amato Vino – Savagnin ‘Space Girls’ 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
13.Brookland Valley – Reserve Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
14.Cape Mentelle – Chardonnay 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
15.Cape Mentelle – Heritage Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
16.Coward & Black – Fumé Blanc 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
17.Fermoy – Reserve Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
18.Lenton Brae – Southside Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
19.Lenton Brae – Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
20.Happs – Three Hills Chardonnay 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
21.House of Cards – The Royals Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
22.Snake and Herring – Primary Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
23.Stella Bella – Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
24.Stella Bella – Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
25.Vasse Felix – Chardonnay 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
26.Wills Domain – Eightfold Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
27.Aravina Estate – Stella Bdx 2022 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
28.Below&Above – Pinot Noir 2021 – Gold 95 – Pemberton
29.Evans & Tate – Redbrook Estate Shiraz 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
30.Ferngrove – The Orchid Collection Majestic Cabernet 2023 – Gold 95 – Frankland River
31.Ferngrove – The Orchid Collection Dragon Shiraz 2023 – Gold 95 – Frankland River
32.Forester Estate – Yelverton Reserve Cabernet 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
33.Fraser Gallop Estate – Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
34.Greenpiper Wines – John George Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
35.Greenpiper Wines – John George Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
36.Howard Park Wines – Scotsdale Great Southern Shiraz 2022 – Gold 95 – Great Southern
37.Passel Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
38.Peccavi Estate – The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
39.Snake and Herring – Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 – Gold 95 – Margaret River
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