Wine regions recognised for the first time, Tasmania punching above its weight, and Western Australia topping the medal tally were all part of this year’s Halliday Wine Awards.
Celebrating the country’s top wines, winemakers, viticulturists, and wineries, Halliday Wine Companion’s chief editor Tyson Stelzer said the annual awards set the industry benchmark.
“This year’s results are a wonderful testimony to the tremendous diversity of Australian wine at the top of its game.
“Our winners hail from the who’s who of large estates in famous regions and from small boutiques in remote outposts.
“It’s exciting to see unexpected places and estates stepping forward with wines that have topped their classes,” Stelzer said.
First time award winners included a $50 shiraz from one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, Perth Hills. Battles Wine Granitis Shiraz 2020 won Shiraz of the Year, the first time this region has won a Companion Award.
The Sparkling Wine of the Year came from Australia’s highest-elevation region, Orange, for the first time. Gilbert Family Wines Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2016 took out the top honours.
Tasmania made up only five per cent of submitting wineries, but achieved one major Award win, three further major Award nominations and two varietal Awards.
Tasmanian winery, Pooley Wines won Winery of the Year; Pipers Brook Vineyard Kreglinger Brut Rosé 2017 was awarded Sparkling Rosé of the Year; and Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir 2020 Tasmania was recognised as Best Pinot Noir of the Year.
Meanwhile, Western Australia had more major award winners than any other state and Margaret River have more 5-star wineries than any other region.
(Image source: Halliday Wine Companion Awards)
2023 MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Winery of the Year – Pooley Wines, Tasmania
Winemaker of the Year – Glenn Goodall, Xanadu Wines, Margaret River, WA
Viticulturist of the Year – Tom Carson, Serrat, Yarra Valley, VIC
Best New Winery – Living Roots, Adelaide Hills, SA
(Image source: Halliday Wine Companion Awards)
Dark Horse Winery – L.A.S. Vino, Margaret River, WA
Best Value Winery – Deeps Woods Estate, Margaret River, WA
Wine of the Year – Best’s Wines Foudre Ferment Riesling 2021, Great Western – 96 points 2023
VARIETAL WINNERS
Sparkling White of the Year – Gilbert Family Wines Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2016 Orange – 97 points
Sparkling Red of the Year – Teusner MC Sparkling Shiraz 2017 Barossa Valley – 95 points
Sparkling Rosé of the Year – Pipers Brook Vineyard Kreglinger Brut Rosé 2017 Tasmania – 96 points
Rosé of the Year – Spinifex Luxe 2021 Barossa – 93 points
Sauvignon Blanc of the Year – Flowstone Wines Queen of the Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Margaret River – 96 points
Other Whites (and Blends) of the Year – Briar Ridge Vineyard Albariño 2021 Hunter Valley – 95 points
Semillon of the Year – Brokenwood Sunshine Vineyard Semillon 2014 Hunter Valley – 97 points
Riesling of the Year (two winners) – Henschke Julius Riesling 2021 Eden Valley – 98 points
Best’s Wines Foudre Ferment Riesling 2021, Great Western – 96 points
Chardonnay of the Year – Stella Bella Wines Luminosa Chardonnay 2020 Margaret River – 98 points
Pinot Noir of the Year – Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir 2020 Tasmania – 96 points
Grenache (and Blends) of the Year – Chalk Hill Alpha Crucis Old Vine Grenache 2020 McLaren Vale – 98 points
Other Reds (and Blends) of the Year – Koomilya Cabernet Touriga 2018 McLaren Vale – 97 points
Shiraz of the Year – Battles Wine Granitis Shiraz 2020 Perth Hills – 96 points
Cabernet Shiraz of the Year – Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2020 McLaren Vale– 97 points
Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Langhorne Creek – 98 points
Cabernet Sauvignon (and Family) of the Year – Mount Mary Quintet 2020 Yarra Valley – 98 points
Sweet Wine of the Year – Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling 2019 Victoria – 95 points
Fortified Wine of the Year – Seppeltsfield 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1922 Barossa Valley – 100 points
