Australia’s best wineries, winemakers and finest drops have been named at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
Every year for the past four decades, the expert Halliday Wine Companion tasting team has evaluated around 8000 bottles of Australian wine. The organisation now boasts a library of 185,000 tasting notes from more than 3500 wineries and has grown to become more than a reference book for oenophiles; it is Australia’s leading authority on fine drops. The newly released 2026 Halliday Wine Companion (now available in stores and online at winecompanion.com.au for $45) has been released alongside the highly anticipated Halliday Wine Companion Awards, an event that recognises Australia’s best wines, winemakers, viticulturists and wineries. The results are determined by the acclaimed Halliday Tasting Team: Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW.
Top-performing states
Victoria topped the tally for varietal wins, claiming honours in Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet & Blends, Rosé of the Year, Fortified of the Year and the new Wildcard of the Year category. South Australia produced the Red Wine of the Year and Wine of the Year, while also celebrating the induction of its third member into the James Halliday Hall of Fame, Brian Croser. The Hunter Valley took home the coveted Winery of the Year award. Western Australia impressed judges with White Wine of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, and claimed top honours in Other Whites & Blends and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasmania dazzled with Sparkling Wine of the Year, while also leading the shortlist for this category. The Barossa Valley retained its crown as the region with the highest number of five-star wineries, followed closely by Margaret River and the Yarra Valley.
Halliday Wine Companion Awards
From a 100-point fortified Muscadelle in Rutherglen to a Hunter Valley Semillon that’s been cellared to perfection, the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards illustrate the extraordinary diversity and tenacity of the Australian wine industry. Whether you’re chasing a world-class Chardonnay in Margaret River, a benchmark Grenache in McLaren Vale, or sparkling prestige in Tasmania, this year’s winners offer a tasting journey through the very best of the country’s vineyards.
Overall winners
- Winery of the Year: Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Winemaker of the Year: Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA
- Viticulturist of the Year: Dr Dylan Grigg, Vinya Vella and Meristem Viticulture
- Best Value Winery: Bondar Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
- Best New Winery: Elanto Vineyard, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Dark Horse Winery: Bakkheia, Geographe, WA
- Wine of the Year: Thistledown Wines This Charming Man Single Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2024, McLaren Vale
Varietal standouts
The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion also named standout varietals, offering wine lovers a guide to the most celebrated bottles of the year:
- Grenache of the Year | Red Wine of the Year | Wine of the Year: Thistledown Wines This Charming Man Single Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2024, McLaren Vale – 98 points
- Chardonnay of the Year | White Wine of the Year: Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2023, Margaret River – 99 points
- Shiraz of the Year: Koomilya JC Block Shiraz 2022, McLaren Vale – 99 points
- Sparkling Wine of the Year: Stefano Lubiana Prestige 2011, Tasmania – 98 points
- Riesling of the Year: Leo Buring DWB17 Leonay Riesling 2024, Eden Valley – 98 points
- Semillon of the Year: First Creek Wines Museum Release Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon 2017, Hunter Valley – 98 points
- Sauvignon Blanc of the Year: Weaver Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Adelaide Hills – 97 points
- Pinot Gris/Grigio of the Year: Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2024, Central Victoria Zone – 96 points
- Other Whites & Blends of the Year: tripe.Iscariot Kroos Chenin Blanc 2023, Margaret River – 98 points
- Rosé of the Year: Sutton Grange Winery Fairbank Rosé 2024, Central Victoria Zone – 96 points
- Pinot Noir of the Year: Mount Mary Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley – 98 points
- Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year: Devil’s Lair Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Margaret River – 98 points
- Cabernet & Blends of the Year: Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 1 2023, Yarra Valley – 99 points
- Other Reds & Blends of the Year: Tyrrell’s Wines Vat 8 Winemaker’s Selection Shiraz Cabernet 2023, Hunter Valley – 98 points
- Sweet Wine of the Year: Calabria Family Wines 3 Bridges Botrytis Semillon 2024, Riverina – 96 points
- Fortified Wine of the Year: All Saints Estate Museum Muscadelle NV, Rutherglen – 100 points
- Wildcard of the Year: Lethbridge Wines Yellow NV, Geelong – 96 points
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