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The 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards celebrated excellence in Australian winemaking at a special presentation luncheon on Friday 7 November, held at Melbourne Showgrounds’ Victoria Pavilion. Amid the clinking of glasses and festive cheer, the 2025 trophy winners were announced, showcasing the remarkable talent and diversity of Australia’s wine producers.

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry — and what better way to do it than with Melbourne Royal’s award-winning flavours? We’ve curated our favourite 2025 Food & Beverage Award winners to help you craft a Christmas feast worth celebrating.

Located in Wonthaggi, Victoria, Mates Gin Distillery is redefining what it means to craft spirits. Founded by Kim Richardson, this award-winning distillery is not only producing world-class gin but also making a meaningful impact on the community. Their guiding philosophy? “Where Something for You Creates Something for Others.”

Bentleigh’s own craft butchery and smokehouse, The Lucky Pig, has taken out top honours at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards (MRAFA), earning national recognition for its dedication to traditional butchery, small-batch production and uncompromising quality.

Rustica Antipasto is a family-run business in the Yarra Valley bringing authentic Italian antipasto to Australian tables. Founded just two years ago by mother-and-son duo Connie and Ernesto Lando, the business began around the family table, with Connie sharing her homemade antipasto with friends and family.