2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards

Last week, members of the Australian wine industry gathered at Melbourne's iconic Ormond Hall to celebrate the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. 

On the night we crowned seven major winners, including the 2026 Winery of the Year, 2026 Winemaker of the Year, and the 2026 Viticulturist of the Year, along with 17 varietal/category winners, and we inducted the third person into the James Halliday Hall of Fame: Australian Wine Industry. We also tasted some of the best wines in Australia. Below are just a few images from the night.

The Halliday Tasting Team (L-R) Philip Rich, Jane Faulkner, Toni Paterson MW, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Katrina Butler, Dave Brookes, Mike Bennie, Shanteh Wale.

Brian Conway, Trapeze Wines.

Halliday's Head of Tasting, Katrina Butler, presenting the Varietal Awards.

Paul Holmes à Court from Vasse Felix and Sam Barry from Jim Barry Wines.

Angela, Nick and Eliza Brown from All Saints Estate, with Halliday taster Jane Faulkner.

Before the ceremony.

Virginia Willcock from Vasse Felix accepts the award for Winemaker of the Year from Halliday taster Jane Faulkner and Candice Butka from RIEDEL.

Halliday tasters Shanteh Wale and Fred Siggins.

Tyrrell's winemaker Mark Richardson and Toni Paterson MW.

Geoff Weaver collects the award for Sauvignon Blanc of the Year.

Thistledown's Giles Cooke MW and Paddy Gilhooly.

Brian Conway from Trapeze and Halliday editor Anna Webster.

Sarah Crowe from Yarra Yering accepts the award for Other Reds & Blends of the Year from Katrina Butler.

The Calabria brothers and Calabria Family Wines winemaker Emma Norbiato.

Steve Sadlier, Nenagh Park.

Viticulturist of the Year Dr Dylan Grigg.

Brokenwood chief winemaker Stuart Hordern collects the award for Winery of the Year.

Ray Nadeson from Lethbridge Wines collects the award for Wildcard of the Year.

Halliday Tasting Team (L-R) Dave Brookes, Shanteh Wale, Toni Paterson MW, Mike Bennie, Jane Faulkner, Philip Rich, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis and Jeni Port.

View the 2026 major winners.

View the 2026 top-rated wines.

Join Halliday Wine Club to drink the very best of Australian wine 

The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide at all good bookstores or directly from us.