One of Australia’s leading authorities in wine, The Real Review, has revealed its Top Wineries of Australia 2026 ranking, with the Hunter Valley's Tyrrell's Wines named in the top five.

The Real Review Principal Wine Writer Huon Hooke said: "NSW secured a notable entry, with the much-admired Tyrrell’s placing at number five, a reminder of the Hunter Valley’s continued relevance among the country’s leading producers.”

The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia list is released annually to highlight excellence in Australian wine.

To ensure consistency, the ranking is determined by a proprietary algorithm, which considers the rating and recency of reviews by The Real Review’s panel of leading critics over two years.

NSW wines accounted for 15.2 per cent of the Top Wineries of Australia 2026 ranking, with the Hunter Valley proving to be the state’s most consistent performing region, contributing 5.8 per cent of the list.

Tyrrell’s Wines led the state at number five, followed by Brokenwood (number 17) and Lake’s Folly (number 26). Clonakilla proved itself to be one to watch, jumping 110 places to number 28.

Aaron Mercer of Mercer Wines in the Hunter Valley nabbed the title of Rising Star of the Year, an acknowledgement of his pioneering work in alternative varieties and sustainable viticulture and a nod to the innovation and movement happening in the region.

Learn more here.