Orange's Best NSW Shiraz, Two Years Running! Tamburlaine Celebrates an Outstanding 2026 Wine Awards Season
Two consecutive Best NSW Shiraz trophies. Seven trophies across three major Australian wine shows. And one very proud organic winery.
What a way to celebrate our 60th anniversary!
The 2026 wine awards season has been one to remember for Tamburlaine Organic Wines, with our Orange-grown wines earning recognition across an extraordinary range of red and white varieties.
And the icing on the cake? We've been named Best NSW Shiraz at the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge for the second consecutive year!
It's a fantastic achievement for our team, but it's also a wonderful endorsement of the Orange Wine Region and its reputation for producing exceptional cool-climate wines.
Best NSW Shiraz 2026: Orange Does It Again!
Our 2025 Point 65 Single Vineyard Shiraz has taken home the trophy for Best NSW Shiraz at the 2026 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, following our success in the same category in 2025.
Now in its 32nd year, the competition attracts wines from across Australia, with entries from 49 wine regions in 2026.
To claim the NSW title two years running is something pretty special, particularly given the strength and diversity of Shiraz production across the state.
As our Managing Director and Head of Grape and Wine Production, Mark Davidson, explains:
"Winning Best NSW Shiraz two years running is something we're enormously proud of, not just for Tamburlaine, but for Orange. It reinforces what we've believed for decades: this region has the climate, soils and growing conditions to produce truly exceptional wines."
Seven Trophies, Three Wine Shows, One Exceptional Region
While the Shiraz trophy is a wonderful way to finish the season, it's far from our only reason to celebrate.
Our Orange-grown wines have been turning heads across a diverse range of varieties, demonstrating just how much this remarkable wine region has to offer.
Orange Wine Show 2026: A Winning Start
At September's Orange Wine Show, we took home two varietal trophies:
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Best Sauvignon Blanc: 2026 Sauvignon Blanc
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Best Other Red: 2025 Point 65 Cabernet Franc
NSW Wine Awards 2026: Four More Trophies!
Just last week, our wines added another four trophies at the prestigious NSW Wine Awards:
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Best Cabernet Sauvignon: 2025 Reserve Orange Cabernet Sauvignon
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Best Sauvignon Blanc: 2026 'On the Grapevine' Sauvignon Blanc
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Best Other Red Wine Varietal: 2025 Point 65 Malbec
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Best Organic Wine: 2025 Point 65 Malbec
That's recognition for Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Shiraz, across three major competitions.
"But what excites me just as much is the diversity of the results," says Mark.
"We're seeing Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Shiraz all recognised at the highest levels. That's a powerful endorsement of the region and the people who grow and make its wines."
What Makes Orange Such an Exceptional Wine Region?
There's something special about Orange.
Its elevation, cool growing conditions and diverse vineyard sites create an environment where grapes can develop flavour, structure and natural acidity gradually.
The result? Wines with vibrant character, elegance and balance, whether we're talking aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, structured Cabernet Sauvignon or beautifully perfumed cool-climate Syrah.
For our Orange-based winemaker Andrew Higgins, the magic lies in understanding each vineyard site and working closely with the vineyard team to bring out its individual character.
"These results are a testament to the strength of our vineyard and winery teams and the benefits of a truly integrated approach. By managing every stage of production, from vineyard to bottle, we can make quality-driven decisions at every step.
"Our intimate knowledge of each vineyard block, built over decades of stewardship, allows us to capture the individuality of every site, while our winemaking team focuses on translating that character faithfully into the glass.
"The result is wines that express the purity, complexity and terroir of Orange's cool-climate vineyards."
The Story Behind Our Award-Winning Point 65 Syrah
Our Point 65 range takes its name from the approximate 0.65°C reduction in temperature for every 100 metres of elevation, a nod to the importance of altitude in shaping Orange's distinctive wines.
And our award-winning Syrah is a beautiful example of this relationship between vineyard and wine.
Andrew explains:
"The Point 65 Orange Syrah is the culmination of an exceptional vineyard site and a deliberate pursuit of a modern Australian Syrah style.
"Grown at the climatic edge of Shiraz production in Orange, this distinctive Borenore block consistently produces fruit with remarkable aromatic lift, complexity and natural elegance."
The winemaking approach is equally considered, with whole-bunch fermentation and restrained oak influence allowing the fruit and vineyard character to take centre stage.
The result is a contemporary Australian Syrah that celebrates perfume, savoury complexity and elegant structure.
Proof That Organic Wine Can Be Among Australia's Best
For us, there's another particularly satisfying element to these results.
Every one of these trophy-winning wines reflects our commitment to organic viticulture.
We began transitioning to organic farming in the 1990s and have spent more than three decades learning, adapting and refining our approach.
Healthy soils, resilient vines and a deep understanding of our vineyards are at the heart of everything we do.
As Mark puts it:
"Organic farming isn't about accepting less. It's about understanding your vineyard more deeply, building healthier soils and giving the vines the conditions they need to produce exceptional fruit."
And with our 2025 Point 65 Malbec winning Best Organic Wine at the NSW Wine Awards, it's another reminder that organic and exceptional wine quality go hand in hand.
"To see our organic wines recognised across so many varieties and competitions is incredibly satisfying. It tells us that our approach is delivering where it matters most: in the quality of the wine."
Celebrating 60 Years of Tamburlaine
The timing couldn't be better.
In 2026, Tamburlaine celebrates 60 years since its establishment in 1966, while Mark Davidson marks his 40th vintage at the helm.
From our beginnings in the Hunter Valley to our vineyards in Orange, we've grown into one of Australia's largest producers of certified organic wine.
Along the way, we've collected more than 100 wine show trophies in Australia and internationally since 2017.
But behind every trophy is something much more important: the dedication of our vineyard and winemaking teams, the unique character of the land we work with, and our belief that great wine starts with healthy vineyards.
To everyone who has been part of the journey, thank you.
And to the Orange Wine Region, here's to another outstanding year!
Discover Our Award-Winning Organic Wines
Curious to taste what all the excitement is about?
Explore our range of award-winning organic wines, including our Point 65 collection, and discover what makes Orange's cool-climate wines so special.
