The Halliday Wine Companion has announced its Award winners for the year, celebrating some of the nation’s top wines, winemakers, viticulturists and wineries in its guide to all things Australian wine.
Hosted at Ormond Hall, Melbourne, on 7 August, the Awards ceremony featured a first look at the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion and revealed winners across seven major categories, for which the shortlist was revealed in mid-June. Sixteen Australian wines also received awards for their varietal categories.
The Halliday Wine Companion Award winners were decided by the Halliday Tasting Team, including chief editor Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale, and Toni Paterson MW.
The Awards mark the release of the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, the organisation’s guide to Australian wines, wineries, and grape-growing regions, featuring tasting notes and scores for over 5000 wines reviewed throughout the year.
Halliday Wine Companion’s head of tasting, Katrina Butler, said that the team was delighted to announce its 2025 Award winners, and extended congratulations to each of them.
“We’re blown away by the quality of this year’s winners and tonight we celebrate the strength and perseverance of the Australian wine industry with winners representing regions from across the country,” said Butler.
“The Tasting Team reviewed over 7500 wines for the 2025 Companion and we’re proud to be able to share the best of Australian wine with fellow enthusiasts, industry peers, and those new to the world of wine.”
The 2025 Awards featured winners from regions across Australia, with major award winners including:
- Winery of the Year – Giant Steps, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Winemaker of the Year – Liz Silkman, First Creek Wines and Silkman Wines, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Viticulturist of the Year – Bart Molony, Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA
- Best Value Winery – Mulline, Geelong, VIC
- Best New Winery – Sami-Odi, Barossa Valley, SA
- Dark Horse Winery – ChaLou Wines, Orange, NSW
- Wine of the Year – Oakridge 864 Drive Block Funder & Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2022, Yarra Valley, VIC
For the full list of varietal winners or to view the 2025 Companion, head to winecompanion.com.au.
