Best Wine Awards 2024: Australia’s best drops, with more than half of the winners under $30 a bottle

Australia is known for its wine, and it’s even better when the quality wine is also known for being affordable.

Vintage Cellars released its winning line-up from the 2024 Best Wine Awards. This revealed that 60 per cent of the winning selections from the blind tasting were priced at $30 or less.

Margaret River took the title of most wines awarded, followed by Clare Valley and France’s Burgundy.

The 15 winners were selected from a rather large shortlist of 210 wines. There were 15 categories, including:

1. Best of sparkling under $30

2. Best of lighter red over $30

3. Best of International white

Head of Vintage Cellar Carmen Fellows was excited to showcase a range of wines to customers, allowing them to discover something new.

“Whether customers are rediscovering old favourites or venturing into new territory, our award-winning wines guarantee an unforgettable experience,” she said.

“We are lucky to work with incredible suppliers and expert winemakers who are passionate about crafting exceptional wines,” Ms Fellows said.

This is the fifteenth year the award has run, and the winning wines are picked through a rigorous selection process led by a group of expert judges.

Red wine was the most popular category, with judges recommending the juicy plum and blueberry fruit palate of the Nanny Goat Pinot Noir or the spicy oak of Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Noir.

White wine and rose have continued to grow in popularity, and three of the top recommendations include Jim Barry ‘Barry & Sons’ Riesling, Expressions by Tom Barry Riesling and Triennes Rose.

Ringbolt cabernet sauvignon, Bodega Alamos Malbec and Forester Este premium cabernet sauvignon were also recommended.

The complete list of Vintage Cellars Best of Wine Award winners:

Best of Sparkling Under $30 Brown Brothers Brut Reserve NV $29

Best of Sparkling $30 & over Arras Brut Elite Sparkling NV $49

Best of Champagne Champagne Charles Mignon Reserve Brut NV $48

Best of Rosé Triennes Rosé $23

Best of Lighter White Under $25 Jim Barry ‘Barry & Sons’ Riesling $20

Best of Bolder White Under $25 Petaluma White Label Chardonnay $24

Best of Lighter White $25 & over Expressions by Tom Barry Riesling $25

Best of Bolder White $25 & over Xanadu Chardonnay $37

Best of International White Bernard Michaut Petit Chablis $42

Best of International Lighter Red P. Ferraud & Fils Beaujolais Villages $15

Best of International Bolder Red Bodega Alamos Malbec $23

Best of Lighter Red Under $30 Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Noir $22

Best of Bolder Red Under $30 Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon $25

Best of Lighter Red $30 & over Nanny Goat Pinot Noir $40

Best of Bolder Red $30 & over Forester Estate Premium Cabernet Sauvignon $30