The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards have officially announced their winners, celebrating the pinnacle of Australian winemaking. The Awards recognise outstanding wines, winemakers, viticulturists, and wineries across the nation.
Held at Ormond House, part of Melbourne’s The Commons Collective, the ceremony also offered a first look at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion and revealed winners across seven major categories, including Wine of the Year, Winery of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year, Best New Winery, Dark Horse Winery and Best Value Winery.
Hall of Fame induction
Halliday further honoured Brian Croser, newly inducted into the James Halliday Hall of Fame: Australian Wine Industry, a distinction recognising individuals of the highest significance within the country’s wine sector.
Seventeen varietal winners were celebrated this year, alongside the introduction of a new category, Wildcard of the Year, designed to highlight lesser-known varieties, techniques, styles or regions.
Katrina Butler, Head of Tasting at Halliday Wine Companion, said:
“We take great pleasure in announcing the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Award winners and extend our congratulations to each of them. The sheer magnitude of talent, the calibre of wines, the dedication to not only the art of winemaking but the restoration and preservation of our land was as apparent and resolute as the wines before us. We are immensely proud to acknowledge this year’s winners, and tonight we celebrate the very greats of the Australian wine industry, the winners representing the diversity of winemaking regions from across the country. The Tasting Team reviewed over 7000 wines for the 2026 Companion, and we’re proud to be able to share the results and indeed the new edition of the guide with fellow enthusiasts, industry peers and newcomers.”
Victoria leads varietals
Victoria dominated the varietal awards, claiming accolades for Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet & Blends, Rosé, Fortified and the inaugural Wildcard of the Year. South Australia was recognised for Red Wine of the Year, Wine of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year and the third Hall of Fame inductee. Meanwhile, the Hunter Valley’s Brokenwood was awarded Winery of the Year, and Western Australia excelled with White Wine of the Year and Winemaker of the Year honours.
The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion is now available nationwide and online, featuring over 5,000 tasting notes in print and more than 7,000 new notes online. The guide remains the definitive resource for Australia’s wines, wineries, and grape-growing regions.
Major 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
For the full list of varietal winners and further details, visit winecompanion.com.au.
