It’s all about the dirt. It’s all about the vines. It’s all about getting grapes into the winery in the healthiest condition possible. This is the job of the viticulturist. It’s arguably the most important job in wine. We present the 2025 Viticulturist of the Year Shortlist – meet our finalists below.
Troy McInnes, Chalmers
Where: Heathcote, Victoria
Established: 1989
Winemakers: Bart van Olphen, Tennille Chalmers and Kim Chalmers
Why: "Troy McInnes is widely recognised as a force in the development of alternative grape varieties in Australia. Indeed, in some circles he’s considered the most knowledgeable grower of alternative grape varieties in the country."
Steve Faulkner, Oakridge Wines
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 1978
Winemaker: David Bicknell
Why: "Steve Faulkner is a powerhouse of Australian viticulture. He’s a leader. His knowledge is vast, his influence wide. He’s been growing great grapes, and making winemakers look good, for 20 years now, across a variety of different regions."
Justin Jarrett, See Saw
Where: Orange, New South Wales
Established: 1995
Winemaker: Monica Gray
Why: "There’s a theory that organic farming is an attractive idea on a small scale, but that it verges on impossible whenever there’s a larger scale of land to manage. Justin Jarrett certainly puts that theory in the bin... Justin Jarrett is the kind of viticulturist/vigneron we should all be championing."
Bernard & Wayne Smart, Smart Vineyard
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 1922
Why: "This is not your average vineyard story. Indeed, it’s a great – in the full sense of the word – story, full stop. Bernard Smart established many vineyards in the McLaren Vale region... Sadly, Bernard died last year; his son Wayne now manages the own-root, bushvine, grenache vineyard at Clarendon, known as the Smart vineyard."
Rhys Thomas, Swinney
Where: Frankland River, Western Australia
Established: 1998
Winemaker: Rob Mann
Why: "Rhys Thomas’ job is complex... The proof of his work is overwhelming: both in the Swinney wines, and in the swathe of outstanding and diverse wine brands from further afield who, each year, seek his grapes out."
Nigel Blieschke, Torbreck
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 1994
Winemakers: Ian Hongell and Scott McDonald
Why: "Nigel Blieschke is the hub that every community needs... It’s his job to look after the Barossa’s ancient vines and, in some cases, to bring this most precious of resources back to life. Jobs don’t get much more important than that."
Bart Molony, Vasse Felix
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established: 1967
Winemaker: Virginia Willcock
Why: "Molony is big on soil biodiversity, practices sustainable viticulture, and works tirelessly to ensure that the vines under his care are healthy... Every vineyard could do with a Bart Molony."
The full 2026 Shortlist is now live
The 2025 Viticulturist of the Year has already been announced, and we've now moved onto the 2026 Shortlist. Find all the latest finalists here.
*This is an edited extract from the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by Vera Babida.
Quotes by Campbell Mattinson.
