We are proud to share that E. J. McDougall has been named one of The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia 2026 — a recognition that carries deep personal meaning for everyone involved in bringing these wines to life.
The Real Review's annual Top Wineries list is one of Australia's most respected benchmarks of fine wine excellence, drawing on rigorous tasting and assessment across the country's most significant producers. To be counted among them, particularly at this stage of our journey, is both humbling and affirming.
The 2026 Release
This recognition coincides with our most exciting release to date: the 2026 collection, comprising the 2025 Margaret River Chardonnay, the 2024 McLaren Vale Old Vine Shiraz, and the 2024 McLaren Vale Old Vine Grenache.
The wines have already attracted extraordinary critical attention. Robert Parker Wine Advocate — the first publication globally to review the new vintages — featured E. J. McDougall as a standout highlight in Erin Larkin's curated April 2026 Australian round-up with double 97 points. The Vintage Journal's Andrew Caillard MW awarded the Grenache 96 Points, the Chardonnay 95+ Points, and the Shiraz 93 Points — scores that reflect both the quality of the fruit and the integrity of our approach.
To now receive this broader institutional recognition from The Real Review feels like a meaningful moment — not an arrival, but a confirmation that the path we are on is the right one.
Meet Us at The Real Review Events
We are delighted to be pouring at a series of The Real Review's flagship Top Wineries events across Australia this July and August. These are rare opportunities to taste the 2026 collection alongside some of the country's finest producers.
Taste the Top Wineries 2026 — Melbourne | Saturday, 18 July
The Top Wineries of Australia Dinner — Melbourne | Tuesday, 21 July
Taste the Top Wineries 2026 — Sydney | Saturday, 25 July
The Top Wineries of Australia Dinner — Sydney | Tuesday, 28 July
Taste the Top Wineries 2026 — Brisbane | Saturday, 1 August
We look forward to sharing these wines in person. Details and tickets are available via The Real Review.
What This Means to Us
"This 2026 release represents everything we have worked towards — wines of authentic provenance, classical structure, and genuine regional expression. We are just beginning." — Edward McDougall, Proprietor & Oenologist
Behind every bottle is a community of growers, viticulturists, and craftspeople who have contributed towards our superb collection of wines. This recognition belongs to them as much as it does to us.
Secure Your Allocation
E.J. McDougall wines are produced in strictly limited quantities and released by allocation. To be considered for the 2026 release, we invite you to register your interest at www.ejmcdougall.com.
For trade and distribution enquiries in Australia, please contact Christian Howard at Saint Wine — christian@saintwine.com.au.
E.J. McDougall Fine Wines is distributed nationally in Australia by Saint Wine. For media and trade enquiries: wine@ejmcdougall.com
