Wine by Farr was named The Real Review’s Winery of the Year for 2025. Image courtesy The Real Review

Geelong winery Wine by Farr has been crowned The Real Review’s Winery of the Year for 2025—the second time Wine by Farr has claimed the title and the fifth consecutive year that the top accolade has been won by a Victorian producer.

Rounding out the top five wineries are Yarra Yerring at #2 (Yarra Valley, VIC), Levantine Hill at #3 (Yarra Valley, VIC), Giant Steps at #4 (Yarra Valley, VIC), and Wynns Coonawarra Estate at #5 (Coonawarra, SA).

The Real Review said Victoria has demonstrated a “commanding presence” in the top 20, securing nine positions, with a strong showing also from South Australia, which claimed seven of the top 20 spots.

To determine the 2025 ranking, The Real Review’s tasting panel assessed almost 15,000 wines. This year, 414 producers received a Top Wineries Certificate, roughly 15% of Australia’s over 2,700 producers.

The Real Review’s principal wine writer and leading Australian wine critic, Huon Hooke, said Wine by Farr was “thoroughly deserving” of Winery of the Year accolade.

“Nick Farr and his team continue to produce wines of exceptional quality and character, year after year,” said Hooke. “Our tastings confirmed this, with the RP Pinot Noir earning an impressive 99 points and a finalist position for Red Wine of the Year. It was closely followed by a trio of 98-point wines: GC Chardonnay, Tout Près Pinot Noir, and By Farr Shiraz.”

Hooke said that there were several “consistent performers” from Victoria ranking in the top 20.

“South Australia again contributed the largest share of the rankings, accounting for just over 35% of the Top Wineries list,” added Hooke. “Wynns Coonawarra Estate stood out as the highest-ranked South Australian winery, rising 21 places this year to claim the number five position,” said Huon Hooke of the 2025 Top Wineries of Australia.”

In addition to the Top Wineries ranking, The Real Review has introduced eight new categories, celebrating individual talent and specific wine styles.

Sandra and David de Pury from Yeringberg (Yarra Valley, VIC) took home the award for Vigneron of the Year. The Yarra Valley-based winemakers who head up Yeringberg were recognised for their honest terroir wines.

Gareth Belton of Gentle Folk (Adelaide Hills, SA) was named Rising Star of the Year. Belton impressed the judges with his 2022 and 2023 single-site expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which they said showed subtlety, nuance and attention to detail.

Wineries that scooped up stylistic awards include House of Arras (Sparkling Wine of the Year), Giant Steps (White Wine of the Year), S.C. Pannell (Rosé Wine of the Year), Yeringberg (Red Wine of the Year), De Bortoli (Sweet Wine of the Year) and Chambers (Fortified Wine of the Year).

The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia list is released annually to highlight excellence in Australian wine. To ensure consistency, the ranking is determined by a proprietary algorithm, which considers the rating and recency of reviews by The Real Review’s panel of leading critics over two years. Producers on the annual list receive a Top Wineries Certificate to showcase their standing amongst the nation’s best.

The full list of The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia 2025 can be found at www.therealreview.com. Tickets for The Real Review’s Top Wineries of Australia 2025 events in Sydney and Melbourne this August are now available at www.therealreview.com/events/.

CATEGORY WINNERS:

Vigneron of the Year: Sandra & David de Pury – Yerinberg (Yarra Valley, VIC)

Rising Star of the Year: Gareth Belton – Gentle Folk (Adelaide Hills, SA)

Sparkling Wine of the Year: House of Arras Grand Vintage 2016 (Tasmania)

White Wine of the Year: Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley, VIC)

Rosé Wine of the Year: S.C. Pannell Arido Rosé 2024 (McLaren Vale, SA)

Red Wine of the Year: Yeringberg 2022 (Yarra Valley, VIC)

Sweet Wine of the Year: De Bortoli Noble One 2021 (Riverina, NSW)

Fortified Wine of the Year: Chambers Rutherglen Grand Muscat NV (Rutherglen, VIC)

STATE HIGHLIGHTS:

South Australia:

South Australia claimed the largest share of top wineries in this listing, accounting for a 36% share. Notable South Australian wineries include Wynns Coonawarra Estate, which surged 21 places to a commendable #5, and Yalumba, climbing nine places to #6. Jim Barry Wines also made significant progress, rising 23 spots to #27. The Barossa Valley undoubtedly leads the regions, with the highest number of awarded wineries, boasting 44 wineries, or 11% of the total.

Victoria:

Victoria claimed the top four spots and secured a 26% share (109 wineries) of the top 414 wineries. Yarra Valley stood out, featuring Yarra Yerring (#2), Levantine Hill (#3), Giant Steps (which climbed 49 places to #4), Oakridge Wines (#8), Mount Mary Vineyard (#14), Serrat (#33), and Yeringberg (#46). The Yarra Valley alone accounts for 6%, while the Mornington Peninsula holds 5% of the top 414 wineries.

Western Australia:

Western Australia received significant recognition this year, with Vanya Cullen of Cullen Wines named as a finalist for Vigneron of the Year. Cullen Wines was the highest-scoring Western Australian winery, placing at #9 on this year’s ranking. L.A.S. Vino also made an impressive appearance at #36, with their rosé named as a finalist for Rosé Wine of the Year. The state claimed 59 of the top 414 wineries, or 14%. Notably, 37 of these 59 wineries, or 63%, come from the Margaret River region.

New South Wales:

New South Wales secured 14%, with 57 top wineries, 25 of which are located in the Hunter Valley. Tyrrell’s Wines moved up one place to #11, while Mount Pleasant climbed two spots to #12. Lake’s Folly made the biggest leap, rising 39 places to #29.

Tasmania:

Tasmania secured 35 of the top 414 wineries, approximately 8%. Pooley Wines held its #23 position from last year, and Tolpuddle Vineyard placed at #35. Tasmania also celebrated the House of Arras Grand Vintage 2016, which was awarded Sparkling Wine of the Year.

Are you a Daily Wine News subscriber? If not, click here to join our mailing list. It’s free!