This Halliday award acknowledges the tremendous skill of the viticulturist. As vine and soil custodians, their job is to produce optimal fruit regardless of season or vintage.
We are pleased to acknowledge the finalists for 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Viticulturist of the Year.
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Adrian Hoffmann
Region: xx, xx
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Jane Faulkner
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Andrew George, Yarra Yering
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Mike Bennie
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Ashley Ratcliff, Ricca Terra
Region: Riverland, South Australia
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Dave Brookes
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Ben Thomson, Best's Wines
Region: Great Western, Victoria
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Marcus Ellis
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Louise Eather, Tyrrell's Wines
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Philip Rich
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Richard Wellsmore, Maxwell Wines
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Shanteh Wale
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Ross Pike, Forest Hill Vineyard
Region: Great Southern, Western Australia
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year award: “xxx” – Jeni Port
2026 People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2026 Halliday People's Choice Award. While the Awards celebrates the best of the best in Australian wine, the People's Choice Award honours the best winery experience from around the country. Cast your vote and go into the running to win the ultimate prize pack valued at over $1400. Vote now.
2026 Taste the Awards events
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Taste the Awards events. Meet some of the winning winemakers and be the first to taste the top wines of the year. Taste the Awards 2026 is an exclusive showcase of award-winning wines and wineries from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Secure your tickets below.Taste the Awards: Melbourne
Thursday August 21, 2025
Sophia, Prahran
Book here
Taste the Awards: Sydney
Thursday August 28, 2025
Hyde Park Ballroom, Sydney
Book here
The winner of each category will be announced at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday August 20, 2025.
The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion – Australia's most comprehensive wine guide – will then be available from August 21.
*This is an edited extract from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by James Coe.
