Is there anything better than discovering a new favourite? Whether it’s a new restaurant, recipe, or television show, it’s always fun to find a new go-to. For me, I adore discovering a new-to-me winery. Whenever I’m planning a trip around Australia, I inevitably factor in the most interesting wineries in the area.
To find new favourites, I of course ask my wine friends and colleagues, but I also consult the experts. The most prestigious wine tasting team in Australia is none other than the Halliday Wine Companion tasting team. And those terrific tasters, one of whom is the fabulous Shanteh Wale, have just released the shortlist for the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards!
Among the shortlist are micro-wineries (some one-person operations on the list), vignerons from lesser-known regions, and of course, some old favourites.
Just a month after The Real Review crowned Yarra Yering as Australia’s top winery, Halliday Wine Companion has placed its vineyard manager, Andrew George, in its shortlist for Viticulturist of the Year.
The Best New Winery category is always a great one, as intrepid winemakers are making their mark on the Australian wine world. Among the nominees is Foreign Friends. This Victorian winery is led by three women, two sisters, Leila and Crystal Davis, along with their friend Juliette Menneteau. Each of their cuvées is named for the women and friends who inspire them.
The three women behind Foreign Friends. Source: Supplied.
Among the other nominees is Adelaide’s own Renae Hirsch, who was recently nominated for the 2026 Advertiser Woman of the Year Awards. She’s shortlisted for Winemaker of the Year along with fellow South Australian, Kerri Thompson of Skillogalee and Wines by KT.
One of the biggest names on the shortlist is Tyrells, which was number one on the Halliday Wine Companion’s Top 100 Wineries in 2024. This year, its viticulturist, Louise Eather, is shortlisted!
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 19 August. For more information, head to the website.
2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards Shortlist
Winery of the Year:
Bekkers (McLaren Vale, SA)
Forest Hill Vineyard (Great Southern, WA)
House of Arras (TAS)
Koomilya (McLaren Vale, SA)
Oakridge (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Sami-Odi (Barossa Valley, SA) – which won Best New Winery at the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
Tolpuddle (TAS)
Yerringberg (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Kerri Thompson of Skillogalee and KT Wines is shortlisted for Winemaker of the Year. Photo: John Krüger. Source: Supplied.
Winemaker of the Year:
Adrian Sparks | Mount Pleasant (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Drew Tuckwell | Printhie (Orange, NSW)
Kerri Thompson | Skillogalee, Wines by KT (Clare Valley, SA)
Mark Walpole | Fighting Gully Road (Beechworth, VIC)
Michael Downer | Murdoch Hill (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Renae Hirsch | Willunga 100 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Rohan Smith | Medhurst (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Steve Flamsteed | Decades | Salo (TAS and Yarra Valley, VIC)
Viticulturist of the Year:
Adrian Hoffmann (Barossa Valley, SA)
Andrew George, Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, SA) – His winery was just named Australia’s best in The Real Review’s Top Wineries of Australia.
Ashley Ratcliff, Ricca Terra (Riverland, SA)
Ben Thomson, Best’s (Grampians, VIC)
Louise Eather | Tyrrells (Hunter Valley, NSW) – Tyrells was number one on the Halliday Wine Companion’s Top 100 Wineries in 2024.
Richard Wellsmore, Maxwell Wines (McLaren Vale, SA)
Ross Pike, Forest Hill Vineyards (Great Southern, WA)
Louise Eather of Tyrell’s Wines is shortlisted for Viticulturist of the Year. Supplied.
Best Value Winery:
Evans & Tate (Margaret River, WA)
Medhurst (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Ministry of Clouds (McLaren Vale, SA)
MMAD (McLaren Vale, SA)
Thomas Wines (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Wirra Wirra Vineyards (McLaren Vale, SA)
Best New Winery:
Decades (TAS)
Fervor (Great Southern, WA)
Foreign Friends (Beechworth, VIC)
L’Anima (McLaren Vale, SA)
S. Caica (McLaren Vale, SA)
Thunderstone (Porongurup, WA)
Dark Horse Winery:
Balancing Heart (Granite Belt, QLD)
Black & Ginger (Grampians, VIC)
Cobaw Ridge (Macedon Ranges, VIC)
Heroes (Geelong, VIC)
Krinklewood (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Mercer Wines (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Ngeringa (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Sailor Seeks Horse (TAS)
Digital Editor – The Australian Women’s Weekly
Orlaith Costello
Digital Editor – The Australian Women’s Weekly
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