For its eighth year, The Real Review’s Top Wineries of Australia awards will include eight new categories recognising wine styles and winemaking talent. This includes new Rising Star and Vigneron of the Year awards, as well as style-specific recognition for the best Sparkling, White, Rosé, Red, Sweet, and Fortified wines for 2025.
According to Huon Hooke, who founded The Real Review in 2016, the inclusion of two winemaker awards “allows us to spotlight the diverse achievements across Australia’s wine landscape. It’s an exciting evolution that reflects the dynamic nature of our industry.”
The six Wine of the Year awards were chosen out of almost 15,000 wines tasted by The Real Review to determine the ranking. Although the 24 finalists hail from five states, Victoria accounts for nearly half of the shortlist, with the Yarra Valley emerging as the most represented region. South Australia follows closely behind, accounting for just over 20 per cent of the shortlisted wineries
“It’s hugely exciting to unveil these new categories for the first time, but even more exciting to reveal the names shortlisted,” said Hooke. “The finalists encompass exceptional talent, innovation, and some of the tasting team’s all-time favourite wines.”
Yalumba, Printhie, and Tyrrell’s vineyards – three of the finalists in the new awards
The results of the style-specific awards will be announced on Monday 19 May, with the winners of industry talent categories following on Wednesday 21 May. Finally, the overall winery ranking, including the Winery of the Year, will be revealed on Thursday May 22.
Last year’s Winery of the Year was Yarra Yering, repeating its 2021 victory and continuing Victoria’s four year winning streak. Two further Victorian wineries placed within the top five, with 2022 winner Wine by Farr ranking third and Oakridge, the 2023 winner, in fifth. South Australian wineries Henschke and Penfolds landed in second and fourth respectively.
This year, over 400 wineries have also been recognised with Top Wineries Certification – roughly 19 per cent of all wineries nationwide.
The complete shortlist of finalists for the eight new categories is as follows:
Vigneron of the Year:
Michael Dhillon – Bindi Wines (Macedon Ranges, VIC)Vanya Cullen – Cullen Wines (Margaret River, WA)Sandra de Pury – Yerinberg (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Rising Star of the Year:
Tom McCarthy – Quealy (Mornington Peninsula, VIC)Tessa Brown – Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown (Beechworth, VIC)Gareth Belton – Gentle Folk (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Sparkling Wine of the Year:
Printhie Swift Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2012 (Orange, NSW)Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2017 (Adelaide Hills, SA)House Of Arras Grand Vintage 2016 (Tasmania)
White Wine of the Year:
Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley, VIC)Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2021 (Margaret River, WA)Tyrrell’s Single Vineyard Stevens Semillon 2018 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Rosé Wine of the Year:
Dominique Portet Single Vineyard Rosé 2024 (Yarra Valley, VIC)L.A.S. Vino Albino PNO 2023 (Margaret River, WA)S.C. Pannell Arido Rosé 2024 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Red Wine of the Year:
Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2019 (Barossa Valley, SA)By Farr RP Côte Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 (Geelong, VIC)Yeringberg 2022 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Sweet Wine of the Year:
De Bortoli Noble One 2021 (Riverina, NSW)Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling 2022 (King Valley, VIC)Nugan Estate Cookoothama Limited Release Botrytis Semillon 2022 (Riverina, NSW)
Fortified Wine of the Year:
Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny 1925 (Barossa Valley, SA)Chambers Rutherglen Grand Muscat NV (Rutherglen, VIC)Pfeiffer Grand Rutherglen Topaque NV (Rutherglen, VIC
Tasted: two sub-$40 reds by Yarra Yering, Australia’s winery of the year