The highly anticipated Halliday Wine Companion Awards for 2024 have unveiled the shortlisted wineries, winemakers, and viticulturists, representing the pinnacle of Australian winemaking. The prestigious awards, known for their recognition of excellence in the industry, celebrate the passion, dedication, and expertise that shape the country’s winemaking landscape.
This year, the Halliday Tasting Team, featuring nine panelists including new chief editor Campbell Mattinson, embarked on a year-round process of blind tastings, examinations, and round-table discussions to determine the winners. Each panelist focused on specific regions, ensuring continuity, connection, and specialist expertise. With over 8,500 wines tasted and more than 50 new wineries discovered, the team carefully selected the top-rated Australian wines, winemakers, wineries, and viticulturists.
The Shortlist showcases the diversity and high standards of the Australian wine market, featuring outstanding wineries from Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales. It highlights the country’s best offerings and serves as a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation within the industry.
In addition to the shortlist announcement, the People’s Choice Award returns for its third year, allowing wine enthusiasts to have their say and recognize Australia’s best winery experience. Public voting is now open on winecompanion.com.au/peoples-choice-voting, giving participants the opportunity to celebrate exceptional cellar doors, remarkable restaurants, friendly staff, picturesque views, and outstanding wines. Voters also have a chance to win a prize pack valued at over $1,400, featuring exceptional wines and wine accessories. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be unveiled on July 29, 2023.
Mark your calendars for the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on August 2nd at the renowned Stokehouse in St Kilda. This esteemed event will showcase the major awards, including Wine of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, Winery of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year, Best Value Winery, Best New Winery, and Dark Horse Winery. Additionally, the top varietal winners will be announced across seventeen categories, such as Red Wine of the Year, White Wine of the Year, Sparkling of the Year, Shiraz of the Year, and Riesling of the Year.
The Halliday Wine Companion Awards serve as a tribute to the remarkable resilience and dedication of the Australian wine industry. They stand as a testament to the passion and expertise that continue to shape the nation’s winemaking landscape. Stay tuned for the release of the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion on August 3rd and raise a glass to the outstanding achievements of the industry’s finest.
WINERY OF THE YEAR:
All Saints Estate – Rutherglen
Bleasdale Vineyards – Langhorne Creek
First Creek Wines – Hunter Valley
Giant Steps – Yarra Valley
Leogate Estate Wines – Hunter Valley
Oakridge Wines – Yarra Valley
Penley Estate – Coonawarra
Pepper Tree Wines – Hunter Valley
Yalumba – Eden Valley
Yangarra Estate Vineyard – McLaren Vale
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR:
Colin McBryde – Adelina Wines, Clare Valley
Gerald Naef – Patina Wines, Orange
Jim Chatto – Pepper Tree Wines, Hunter Valley
Kate Goodman – Penley Estate, Coonawarra
Mark Messenger – Juniper Estate, Margaret River
Michael Downer – Murdoch Hill, Adelaide Hills
Paul Dahlenburg – Eldorado Road & Baileys of Glenrowan, Beechworth/Glenrowan
Sam Middleton – Mount Mary, Yarra Valley
Samantha Connew – Stargazer, Tasmania
VITICULTURIST OF THE YEAR:
Bart Maloney – Vasse Felix, Margaret River
Dr Dylan Grigg – Consultant, Various
Jacob Stein – Robert Stein Vineyard, Mudgee Liz Riley – Scarborough Wine Co & Mistletoe Wines, Hunter Valley
Mark Walpole – Fighting Gully Road, Beechworth
Michael Lane – Yangarra Estate Vineyard & Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard, McLaren Vale
Rhys Thomas – Swinney, Frankland River
Stuart Proud – Thousand Candles, Yarra Valley
BEST VALUE WINERY:
Billy Button Wines – Alpine Valleys
Bleasdale Vineyards – Langhorne Creek
Bondar Wines – McLaren Vale
Bremerton Wines – Langhorne Creek
Briar Ridge Vineyard – Hunter Valley
Carillion Wines – Hunter Valley
Dappled Wines – Yarra Valley
De Bortoli – Yarra Valley
Mordrelle Wines – Adelaide Hills
Oakridge Wines – Yarra Valley
Two Hands Wines – Barossa Valley
Xanadu Wines – Margaret River
BEST NEW WINERY:
Entropy Wines – Gippsland
Fleet Wines – Gippsland
Gaffy & Neal – Mornington Peninsula
Gentle Folk – Adelaide Hills
Joshua Cooper Wines – Victoria
MMAD – McLaren Vale
Neldner Road – Barossa Valley
Nightfall Wines – Coonawarra
Terrason Wines – Victoria
Winmark Wines – Hunter Valley
DARK HORSE WINERY:
Anderson & Marsh – Alpine Valleys
Curator Wine Company – Barossa Valley
Emilian – Yarra Valley
Mount Eyre Vineyards – Hunter Valley
Topper’s Mountain Wines – New England
The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion is available to pre-order now and will be on sale 3 August 2023. For more information about the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, please visit winecompanion.com.au.
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