The World Association of Wine Writers and Journalists (WAWWJ) has named family-owned Taylor’s Wines (known as Wakefield Wines in the northern hemisphere) as the most awarded winery in the world for 2017 in a ranking of more than 50,000 producers. 

Three other Australian producers also made it into the top 20 in the 2017 World Ranking of Wines & Spirits (WRW&S) report for the first year ever: Wolf Blass, Jacob’s Creek and McGuigan Wines.

Australia’s most awarded wines

Taylor’s Jaraman Shiraz 2014 also takes the top spot for most awarded wine in the world.

Out of more than 700,000 wines evaluated, 12 Taylor’s Wines appear in the top 100 for wines of the year, including special mentions as most awarded wines in the Chardonnay, Merlot and Shiraz varietal categories.

Now in its 21st year, the 2017 World Ranking of Wines & Spirits (WRW&S) report is an internationally recognised ranking system for global wine competitions and is the only ranking system of its kind in the world to combines the results of the most recognised international wine shows to place the world’s most successful wineries.

"The broader Australian presence is significant this year, with 21 Australian wines on the list of the top 100 wines in the world and a ranking of 5th on the list of most awarded countries," said WAWWJ president, Leonardo Castellan.

Mitchell Taylor, managing director of Taylor’s Wines

Mitchell Taylor, third-generation family member and managing director of Taylor’s Wines is honoured by the accomplishment.

"We have always sought to make wines that can take on the best in the world and wine competitions are an important way to benchmark. Australia produces some of the world’s most incredible and exciting wines.

"It’s a fantastic result for our family, our winemaking team, the Clare Valley wine region and the Australian wine industry," Taylor said.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Anne Ruston, congratulated the team at Taylor’s Wines as well as Wolf Blass, Jacob’s Creek and McGuigan Wines.

“The world’s leading wine writers and journalists have officially recognised what Australians already know: our wine is the best on the planet,” Senator Ruston said.

“The recognition doesn’t stop there; four varieties of Taylors Wines were named in the top 10 wines of 2017 out of over 700,000 wines assessed, taking out first, second, fourth and ninth.

“Taylor’s Jaraman Shiraz 2014 took the top spot for most awarded wine in the world, and it’s not just the big name wine producers which were recognised; 21 Australian wines made the top 100.

“Australian wine makers are producing bottled excellence. The Australian Government is working with the industry on a transformational international marketing effort with our $50 million Regional Wine Export and Tourism Support Package, and these accolades for our wine makers can only enhance these efforts. Congratulations to everyone!”

Founded in 1996, the WAWWJ consists of 13,500 wine journalists, bloggers and judges representing 80 different countries across the globe.

The 2017 report takes into account the award shows from February 2016 through to January 2017.