Last week, I had the privilege of stewarding at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show. With close to 200 years of wine judging, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine competitions in Australia and even the world. It was an incredible opportunity to step inside the judging room, meet industry experts, and learn first-hand how quality is assessed. Around 30 judges convene over four days to taste more than 1,500 Australian wines. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each class, with trophy winners announced after final deliberations.

What Did I Learn as a Steward?

As a steward, my role was to support the judges: serving wines and ensuring each evaluation was impartial and efficient. Stewards do not taste, but we get to witness how blind tasting is conducted, how judges debate aromas, texture, and balance, and how every wine is scored against rigorous benchmarks.

I also had the chance to do a practice Grenache tasting alongside the judges, giving my own scores, listening to their discussions, and observing how they justified their assessments. It was an invaluable experience that deepened my understanding of structured tasting and the precision involved in professional wine judging. I was especially excited when one of the wines I scored highly went on to the trophy round.

A Respectful Process

One of the most impressive things I observed was the discipline and respect that goes into judging. Every wine, whether it comes from a small producer or a major label, is given the same careful attention. The panel discussions are not about personal preference but about technical quality, balance, and varietal expression. It was a powerful reminder of how much care goes into ensuring the results are fair and meaningful for winemakers.

Why It Matters

Winning a medal or even entering the Sydney Royal Wine Show is more than just recognition. It provides:
• Valuable benchmarking against Australia’s best wines
• Detailed panel feedback that helps winemakers refine style and quality
• Opportunities to connect with distributors, media, and industry peers

The show is a key moment in the wine calendar, and its long-standing tradition reinforces how much it contributes to elevating Australian wine standards.

Final Sip

Walking behind the scenes at the Royal changed how I view wine competitions. It is less about flashy awards and more about shared standards and craftsmanship. Every bottle is treated with respect, every judge looks for nuance, and every steward walks away having learned something new.

If you ever have the chance to steward, I highly recommend it. It is a rare opportunity to see how wine excellence is defined.