From a lemon twist yoghurt to a complex semillon: Meet the Australian food and beverage producers changing the game

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has today announced the finalists of its national 19th Annual President’s Medal Award, celebrating six food and beverage producers who have proven that doing things differently can lead to world-class results.

From zero-waste and carbon-neutral production models to regenerative farming methods and mental health programs, these businesses have developed strategies that not only deliver results – having all claimed 2025 Sydney Royal Champion Medals - but give back to their communities, protect the environment, and drive the entire agricultural industry forward. 

This year’s finalists, Brokenwood Wines, Marionette, Mandolé Orchard, Norco Co-Operative Limited, Stockyard Beef, and The Yoghurt Shop, have all demonstrated that their products are of the highest quality and that they run innovative and successful businesses. Now, they will put all of that to the test.

Over the coming months, each finalist will undergo a rigorous judging process, which includes a site visit and an in-depth review of their environmental, financial, and social sustainability, as well as their industry impact, succession and governance, and climate and business resilience. One winner will then be announced as the 19th Annual President’s Medal winner on 25 May 2026.

President of the RAS, John Bennett, offered his congratulations to the deserving finalists.

“The President’s Medal is a one-of-a-kind award in Australia and signifies the best of the best from all of our Sydney Royal food and beverage competitions held throughout the year,” said John Bennett.

“It is the only award where you can pit a champion beef product against an almond spread or a liqueur. And it does this by delving deep into a business’s viability; looking beyond the product, which has already been awarded, and assessing the business against criteria that investigate its innovation and its social, environmental, and financial operations.

“The finalists announced today have proven they are running dynamic and successful businesses through their initial applications and interviews, and now our judges will dig even deeper to learn more about each business and what makes it unique.

“I have great admiration for each of the finalists selected and wish them all the very best on this exciting journey.”

President’s Medal Judges, Simon Marnie and Kate Lorimer-Ward, will conduct site tours at Brokenwood Wines, Marionette, Mandolé Orchard, Norco, Stockyard Beef, and The Yoghurt Shop in January 2026.

The President’s Medal Award was created by the RAS in 2006 to honour producers who embody innovation, responsibility, and long-term vision in Australian agriculture and food production. This comprehensive, future-focused approach makes the President’s Medal one of the most unique and prestigious awards of its kind in Australia.

Finalists’ biographies and quotes are attached for your use, and below is an overview of the finalists and their 2025 winning products.

Further images are available here.

 To learn more about the finalists or the previous winners of the RAS President’s Medal, click here or visit www.rasnsw.com.au 

For further information, please contact: 

Nicola Dalby
(02) 9704 1041 M: 0434 579 906 E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au  

Samantha Cannings
P: (02) 9704 1453 E: scannings@rasnsw.com.au